A: The program is open only  to non-profit organizations engaged with school food programming.

A: The SFIF supports infrastructure-related improvements such as kitchen upgrades, food storage enhancements, and equipment purchases. Please carefully review the eligible expenses list before applying as there are very specific items that are allowed and others that are not.

A: There are two streams within this fund. Small grants are between $5000 and $25,000 while Large Grants are between $25,000 and $150,000.

A: The application deadline is Sunday, May 4th, 11:59 PM Atlantic Time. We recommend that you check back for updates.

A: Applications will be evaluated by a multi-province selection committee. Decisions are based on impact, feasibility, alignment with the SFIF objectives, community benefits, and a focus on equity.

A: In a facility owned, rented, or used by your organization. If you don't own the facility, you'll need to provide a letter from the owner or operator to confirm you have permission to install.

A: Yes, with some restrictions. See the Eligible Expenses page

A: No, these funds cannot be used to pay staffing costs or honorariums for volunteers

A: All funds need to be spent and equipment installed by March 30th 2026

A: Yes, as long as your project fits their geographic area and focus. You can find a list of organizations distributing the SFIF here. You may use SFIF funds from multiple sources towards a single larger project, but you cannot receive funding twice for the same budget item. 

A: Under some circumstances, yes. You can only be reimbursed for equipment that is delivered after April 1st, 2025 and ordered later than January 31st, 2025. If you choose to apply for a cost you’ve already taken on, you accept the risk that your application will not be funded and you will not be reimbursed.

A: No. As long as you have nonprofit status and are engaged with school food programming, you can apply, even if your organization is new.

A: Yes, but only for taxes that you will not be reimbursed for. You may need to provide documentation to confirm your eligibility for HST reimbursement.

A: School food programming can occur outside of school hours as long as the meals and/or snacks are served within the schools and students are the target group (i.e., not for the general public). The purchases must meet the eligibility requirements outlined in the eligible expenses section.

A: The cost would be eligible if it relates to a new piece of eligible equipment and is relevant to its safe installation.

A: No;  recipients do not need to acknowledge AAFC support in any way. This means that they should not use the Departmental logo or text credit sentence.

A: Yes, you may apply to other SFIF funds that are distributed by other organizations. You may not apply for the exact same piece of equipment through each fund, but can apply for separate pieces of equipment, this could be the same type of equipment intended for a different school, or it could be different types of equipment at the same school.

Example: You could apply for a greenhouse at School A through one fund, and a greenhouse for School B through a different fund. 

You could apply for a greenhouse through School A through one fund, and soil, seeds and kitchen equipment for School A through another fund.

A: Yes. The application processes may be similar among SFIF grants, however, they are each unique and may outline their own specific selection criteria, determined by each initial recipient. Applicants must complete the application process according to the requirements of that particular SFIF.

A: Yes. Nonprofit community organizations are eligible to apply. 

A: Requirements are the same though the smaller stream’s application requests less information in comparison to the larger stream’s application.

A: No. The students served must be children or youth attending elementary schools, junior high/middle schools or high schools. Supporting school food programming for university students is outside of the scope for SFIF.

A: In specific cases. The infrastructure funded through SFIF must primarily be used to support school food programs delivered to students in elementary schools, junior high/middle schools and high schools. So, children in preschools and daycares cannot be counted as students-served. That said, as long as the infrastructure is primarily used for school food programming for students in elementary,  junior high/middle school or high school, the preschools and daycares could make use of it if that was convenient for all concerned.

A. No, unfortunately not. Some exclusions are noted in the applicant guide. These exclusions include Schools and school boards; Health authorities; Governments - municipal, provincial, federal, or Indigenous; Academic or educational institutions; and For-profit entities. These exclusions apply regardless of non-profit status.

A: Yes. A letter of approval is required from the school which indicates their permission for the installation of this equipment within the school. This letter would need to be submitted at the time of application submission. If the application is submitted on behalf of various schools, a letter of permission would also need to be signed/submitted on behalf of various schools (ie. signed by the principal), or submitted/signed by a Director or other individual authorized to submit/sign this letter on behalf of the collective.

A: Yes, you can still apply. A contract is not required to apply to the Atlantic SFIF. It is beneficial for an application to demonstrate collaboration between the non-profit and the school, so defining this link will strengthen the application whether or not there is an existing contract between the non-profit and the school. For the installation of equipment, a letter of approval is also required on behalf of the school/school board.

A: Yes. As long as this equipment is considered eligible according to SFIF requirements, an organization is welcome to submit a request to fund the same equipment in multiple schools.

A: The degree in which a non-profit may be involved with the school/school food program can vary–The non-profit is not required by the SFIF to operate any existing or future school food program(s). Strong applications should demonstrate a relationship between the non-profit and the school, however. For the purpose of this grant, should the application be successful, the partnering non-profit is considered the legal owner of the infrastructure for a minimum of two years.

A: The SFIF is a new grant opportunity offered by the federal government. This is the first time it has been open for applications. It is unknown to us whether or not it will be made available in the future.

A: Each province is at a different stage in school food programming and so proof of a contract is not required. Successful applicants, however, will need to prove the intent and the feasibility of the proposed project. Receipts are required as evidence of purchase of equipment, and if the project requires installation of equipment a letter of approval is required from the school.

A: No, the equipment does not need to be located within a school.

A: It is not required that this gardening equipment is on school property however the grown food does need to arrive in a school food program where students can access this food in school.

A: Food produced/prepared in such infrastructure would need to be distributed to a school food program(s) where students can access this food in school.

A: Chairs are considered furniture regardless of their purpose, and are thus an ineligible expense.

A: As much as possible, please refer to the list of eligible/ineligible expenses. In exceptional circumstances, we recognize it may be difficult to assess whether or not an expense meets the eligibility requirements. In these cases – as long as the rest of eligibility requirements and application process is followed – we encourage you to submit the request for these items, including a small explanation of why you believe the item meets the eligible expenses guidelines.

We will not disqualify your entire application if an ineligible expense is included in the proposal because our guidelines were unclear. Your application may still qualify for funding of the eligible expenses outlined in your application.

A: It is a tight timeline and the hope is to deliver funds to nonprofits as quickly as possible. If funds are not completely allocated within this timeline an extension of the deadline may be considered.

A: Receipts and delivery information needs to be provided.

A: If this happens we would re-evaluate and consider re-opening or extending the application window, until the total amount is distributed. Should this occur, there will be communication of this information.

A: The Atlantic SFIF focuses on funding projects which serve equity-deserving populations, specifically low-income, Black and Indigenous students. To note, the programs should be inclusive programs and should not target these groups.

A: It is not necessary to provide a detailed budget breakdown of items that you are applying for outside of the Atlantic SFIF, however, it is beneficial to include an outline of this information in your Atlantic SFIF application to provide a sense of feasibility of the overall project.

Providing context of the overall project, including all sources of confirmed and potential funding, allows for a more accurate assessment of the feasibility of a project. For example, if your SFIF application requests only 60% of the costs associated with the purchase of a large piece of equipment it would be helpful to know if/where additional funding is coming from to support this project.

A: Yes, bagged school food programs are eligible if they are part of universally accessible school lunch programs that avoid targeting specific students based on need and instead offer the program to all students, increasing the many benefits of the program while removing stigma. These bagged school lunches must be distributed to students for them to take home and are intended to be consumed at home for lunch during the school day.