NEW FUNDING AVAILABLE FOR MANITOBA AGRICULTURE PRODUCERS AND PROCESSORS TO SUPPORT SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVES AND FOOD SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS

The governments of Canada and Manitoba are providing funding under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP) to support Manitoba producers and processors in the areas of environmental sustainability and food safety and traceability, federal Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau and Manitoba Agriculture Minister Derek Johnson announced today.

The Sustainable Agri-Processing Program (SAP) offers grant funding toward private companies’ sustainability initiatives. Funding is available in the following areas:

• The Building Envelope, Lighting and Ventilation Upgrades stream helps applicants assess and upgrade agri-food and agri-product facilities and equipment to create energy savings and greenhouse gas reductions to contribute to Manitoba’s GHG emission reduction goals. Funding is available for up to 50 per cent of the project cost, up to a maximum of $25,000 per project.
• The Input Use Efficiency stream aims to reduce agri-food and agri-product wastage during harvest, storage of crops and ingredients and processing by providing funding towards the purchase of assets and systems that will mitigate wastage. Funding is available for up to 50 per cent of the project cost, up to a maximum of $50,000 per project.
• The Water Use Efficiency stream provides funding for projects that help reduce the amount of water used by agri-processors in production and sanitation processes, treatment of wastewater prior to being disposed or returned to the municipal system or to the recovery of nutrients from wastewater. This funding aligns with the Manitoba government’s Water Management Strategy, which guides future actions, decisions and investments to protect the province’s water resources and ecosystems while sustainably growing the economy and communities. Funding is available for up to 50 per cent of the project cost, up to a maximum of $250,000 per project.
• The Waste Use Efficiency stream supports projects that help reduce or divert agri-processing waste products, byproducts or coproducts. Funding is available for up to 50 per cent of the project cost, up to a maximum of $250,000 per project.