Minister MacDonald announces organizations to deliver the Local Food Infrastructure Fund: Community Support Stream to strengthen food security in communities across Canada
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TORONTO, Oct. 23, 2026 /CNW/ -- The Government of Canada, in line with the National Food Security Strategy, is taking immediate action to help ensure all Canadians, particularly the most vulnerable, can access nutritious food.
Today, at Second Harvest in Toronto, the Honourable Heath MacDonald, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, announced the two initial recipients of the up to $20-million federal Local Food Infrastructure Fund: Community Support Stream.
The initial recipients, Food Banks Canada and Second Harvest, will each receive up to $10 million in funding to further distribute through individual applications to eligible food banks and not-for-profit community-based organizations (known as ultimate recipients) to acquire and distribute food to families in need. Eligible community-based organizations are encouraged to use the Community Support Stream (CSS) Initial Recipient Finder to determine which organization best serves their geographic area and needs.
This funding is in addition to Canada's first-ever National Food Security Strategy announced by Prime Minister Mark Carney on June 11, 2026. Backed by $3.2 billion in investments over 10 years, the Strategy will help tackle the root causes of food insecurity and improve our domestic self-sufficiency.
Quotes
"Every Canadian should have access to nutritious food, regardless of where they live or their circumstance. Through the Community Support Stream, our government is working with trusted organizations like Food Banks Canada and Second Harvest to get food to families and communities across the country who need it most."
- The Honourable Heath MacDonald, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
"Food security is about ensuring that individuals and families can access the nutritious food they need to live healthy, dignified lives. By investing in trusted organizations like Food Banks Canada and Second Harvest, we are strengthening the community-based networks that support people facing food insecurity and helping ensure that nutritious food reaches those who need it most."
- James Maloney, Member of Parliament for Etobicoke–Lakeshore
"Across Canada, community organizations help connect individuals and families with nutritious food and other essential resources. Strengthening these organizations and the networks they rely on is an important part of building more resilient communities and improving food security. The Community Support Stream will help local organizations strengthen food distribution networks, expand their capacity to respond to growing demand, and better support families experiencing food insecurity. This investment will help meet immediate needs while laying the groundwork for a stronger, more resilient food system for years to come."
- Fares Al Soud, Member of Parliament for Mississauga Centre
"As visits to food banks continue to increase, this project will help ensure they can keep their shelves stocked with nutritious food. Food Banks Canada is very pleased to distribute this funding, which will help food banks throughout the country purchase the food they need to reduce shortages, improve food access in underserved communities, and provide reliable support to people facing food insecurity."
- Kirstin Beardsley, Chief Executive Officer, Food Banks Canada
"We deeply appreciate Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's investment through the Local Food Infrastructure Fund: Community Support Stream. As food becomes harder for people to afford, community organizations across Canada are working harder than ever to meet the need. This funding will help us get resources directly to grassroots organizations so they can provide nutritious, culturally appropriate food. With our national network of partners, we'll make sure this support reaches the communities that need it most, making good food accessible and barrier-free for people across the country."
- Lori Nikkel, Chief Executive Officer, Second Harvest
Quick Facts
- On June 11, 2026, Prime Minister Mark Carney, launched Canada's first-ever National Food Security Strategy to help Canadians feel confident that their food will remain affordable, available, and produced here at home. It focuses on supporting the farmers, processors, and workers who help put food on tables every day. It also invests in innovation and stronger supply chains so Canada can produce more of its own food and better respond to future challenges.
- Budget 2025 announced that the federal government is making the National School Food Program permanent, providing school meals for up to 400,000 children each year, saving participating families with two children in school an estimated $800 annually on groceries.
- Projects and final funding are subject to negotiation of a contribution agreement.
- Food Banks Canada is the leader in addressing food insecurity in Canada with a vision of a Canada where no one goes hungry. Its mission is to provide national leadership to relieve hunger today and prevent hunger tomorrow in collaboration with a network of over 5,500 food banks and community organizations from coast to coast to coast.
- Second Harvest is Canada's largest food rescue organization, working across the country to rescue surplus food and get it to people and communities who need it.
- Food Banks Canada and Second Harvest will each collaborate with established networks with extensive reach across Canada, collectively connecting with partner organizations across all provinces and territories, enabling funding to be distributed broadly, proportionately and equitably.
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Contacts: For media: Jennica Klassen, Director of Communications, Office of the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, [email protected]; Media Relations, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, 613-773-7972, 1-866-345-7972, [email protected]
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