Upcoming Opportunities - August 21, 2024

NEW

1.???? Foundations Program: Elevate Your Food & Beverage Business – Good to Grow's new "Foundations" program offers essential training and advanced strategies for emerging food and beverage businesses. The online program covers core concepts in a 3-part introductory course (Sept 11-25) and dives deeper into advanced topics with an 8-part course (Oct 9-Nov 27). Registration is ongoing.

2.???? Join Relocalize in Transforming Food Supply Chains – CFIN Member Relocalize are expanding their team at their new Montreal headquarters and in Jacksonville, Florida. They are currently looking for technically minded innovators ready to push the boundaries of Relocalize’s hyperlocal autonomous food production systems. Applications are ongoing.

3.???? Funding for Sustainable Agri-Food Innovation – The AgriInnovate Program, part of the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, offers repayable funding to support the commercialization and adoption of innovative agricultural technologies that enhance sector competitiveness and sustainability. Priorities include projects involving advanced manufacturing, automation, and robotics that benefit the broader agri-food ecosystem. Applications are open until March 31, 2028, or until funds are fully allocated.

STILL ACTIVE

These were in previous Upcoming Opportunities posts. We’ll continue to include them here until they are no longer active.

1.???? CFIN Innovation Booster Summer 2024 Call – CFIN is offering funding for SMEs (businesses with fewer than 499 employees and under $50 million in revenue) to advance their food innovation and research outcomes. Projects must start by September 1, 2024, and end by March 31, 2025. Eligible projects can receive up to $50,000, covering 50% of total costs. Deadline to apply is August 23.

2.???? Protein Industries Canada Launches AI Funding Program – Protein Industries Canada is investing $30 million into collaborative AI-driven projects that enhance Canada's plant-based food, feed, and ingredients sector. Project funding is on proposed scope and impact. Deadline to apply is August 30.

3.???? Fortune 500 Company Seeking Natural Appetite Suppression Ingredient Solutions – A top Fortune 500 is looking to fund research on natural ingredient solutions that can effectively curb "food noise" (or food cravings) while adapting to their existing supply chain, remaining cost-effective, and suitable for implementation across frozen food, beverage, and snacking categories. The brand is offering $50K for proof of concept with potential funding for further development. Deadline to apply is August 31.

4.???? Women in Food Industry Management (WFIM) Scholarship – WFIM has partnered with Club Coffee to offer a scholarship supporting innovators in food sustainability, focusing on water management, sustainable packaging, and food waste reduction. The scholarship provides a $2,000 sponsorship award for the winning recipient. Deadline to apply is August 31.

5.???? Vote for the 2024 Rise Awards Finalists – The finalists for the 2024 Rise Awards by BC Food & Beverage have been announced! Learn more about some of BC’s most inspiring F&B companies, leaders, and products and get ready to cast your votes. The ultimate winners will be revealed at the Rise Awards night on November 28th. Public voting is open from September 9-23.

6.???? Competition Bureau Seeks Feedback on Greenwashing Provisions – Canada's Competition Bureau recently launched a public consultation relating to new greenwashing provisions in the Competition Act. Businesses are now required to have testing or substantiation to support certain environmental claims, and the Bureau is seeking feedback — from the food and beverage industry and beyond — to help shape their enforcement guidance. Survey closes on September 27.

7.???? 2024 CIFST Awards Program Nominations Open – The Canadian Institute of Food Science & Technology (CIFST) is now accepting nominations for the 2024 Institute Awards, recognizing career excellence, outstanding leadership, and other contributions to the industry. Nominations for the Institute Awards may be submitted by individual CIFST members or regional Sections of CIFST. Nomination deadline is September 27.

8.???? CFIA Seeks Feedback on Labelling Guidelines for Alt-Egg Products – The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is inviting industry stakeholders to provide feedback on the newly proposed plant-based egg product guidelines. The survey will help shape the guidelines that give food businesses all the necessary information they need to comply with the legislation for labelling and representing alt-egg products. Survey closes on October 28, 2024.

9.???? Food Manufacturing Trends in Quebec – Join CFIN at the Advanced Design & Manufacturing (ADM) Montreal Expo this November! We’ll be hosting a panel discussion on manufacturing advancements crucial to the food and beverage industry. Come and learn about innovations in packaging, processing, automation, energy efficiency, and beyond that will help you stay ahead in the sector. Event Dates: November 13-14, 2024.

10.? Ontario Food Safety and Growth Initiative – Ontario agri-food businesses can now access up to $75,000 in funding to modernize their food safety systems and adopt new traceability technologies through this new initiative. Supported by the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, up to $5 million is available to aid the growth of small agri-food businesses. Deadline to apply is December 1.

11.? CFIN Funding for Atlantic Canada Members – CFIN is still accepting applications for our funding program: Unpuzzling: Greening your Food Manufacturing Operation Program. Available for Atlantic Canada members only, successful applicants receive funding covering 70% of the costs of engaging a third-party consultant to help improve the sustainability—and profitability—of their businesses. Applications are ongoing.

12.? Grow Ontario Accelerator Hub Applications Open – The Grow Ontario Accelerator Hub (GOAH) is now accepting applications from Ontario-based agri-food companies. GOAH offers 25 hours of customized mentorship, essential business resources, and professional support services to help innovative companies advance their solutions to market. Applications are ongoing.