Food Banks Canada’s 2026 LFIF Community Support Stream Fund is made possible by $10 million in funding from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC)’s Local Food Infrastructure Fund (LFIF). This fund supports the acquisition of food and equipment to increase the capacity of not-for-profit community-based organizations to distribute food to communities facing food insecurity.  This fund aims to strengthen community food security through increased capacity for organizations to deliver food security programs and improved food environments within communities. Our focus for the fund will be to reach organizations who are struggling to meet demand within their community.

Outcomes:

• Organizations have increased capacity to deliver community food security programs.
• New partnerships between organizations are created to undertake community-led action on food.
• Food environments are improved within communities.
• Strengthened community food security.

Eligibility

The 2026 LFIF Community Support Stream Fund is open to Food Banks Canada’s food bank network including:

• Affiliate food banks (member of a provincial association).
• Provincial and territorial associations.
• Food banks and food security organizations located in the territories and the remote northern regions of provinces.

Please note:

• All successful recipients must spend all funds by February 28, 2027 and provide proof of expenditure (e.g. receipts or paid invoices) to Food Banks Canada.
• The majority of funds will be allocated to the purchase of food.
• Regional solutions to achieve economies of scale in purchasing are encouraged, however costs related to the further distribution of food are not eligible costs under the program.
• Organizations applying for a grant may only submit one application for funds.
• Applications from organizations that have outstanding grant reports due to Food Banks Canada will not be considered until those reports are received and reviewed.
• To be eligible, organizations applying for a grant must have at least one person on staff or a volunteer who has completed safe food handling training by a recognized source (e.g. public health, Food Banks Canada, etc.)
• If your organization is not a registered charity with the Canada Revenue Agency (i.e. a non-qualified donee) you are required to complete a Due Diligence Questionnaire and you must include supporting documentation with your application. If you have recently completed a Due Diligence Questionnaire for another Food Banks Canada grant application and your organization’s information has not changed, you do not need to complete the questionnaire again.
• Priority will be given to recipients who are serving Canadians most at risk of food insecurity, including Indigenous Peoples and other under-represented and marginalized groups.
• Priority will be given to recipients who are in the most need to enable service to their communities.

The following entities are not eligible

• Municipal or school bodies, including local governments, health authorities, school boards or schools;
• Academic and educational institutions; and
• For-profit entities.

Eligible and Ineligible Costs

Note:  all equipment must be used by grant recipients to support the delivery of their community food program and have a useful life for at least 2 years after the project completion date.

Grant Timeline

* Date on which the agreement comes into force

If you have any questions about how to complete this application, please do not hesitate to contact the Grants Team at LFIF.CSS@foodbankscanada.ca or call 1-800-986-5280 for assistance.

Applications are due by November 16, 2026, 5.00 p.m. EST