True North Sustainable Food Fund

True North Sustainable Food Fund

The True North Sustainable Food Fund is designed to support Canadian foodtech Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in developing and demonstrating novel clean technology solutions for the food manufacturing and distribution sectors.

This program provides targeted funding for industrial demonstration projects that help validate emerging technologies in real-world operational environments. It aims to address key environmental challenges within the food system by accelerating the adoption of solutions that reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and improve overall sustainability across the value chain.

To better support a range of project sizes and timelines, the program is delivered through two distinct streams:

• True North – Spark: Designed for rapid, smaller-scope pilot projects requiring up to $100,000 in funding, with a streamlined, single-stage application process.
• True North – Impact: Designed for larger-scale industrial demonstration projects requiring between $250,000 and $1,000,000 in funding, using a two-stage application process (Expression of Interest followed by Full Application).

Who Can Participate

To qualify for funding, all project proposals for any stream must:

• Be submitted by a Canadian foodtech SME with fewer than 499 full-time equivalent employees and less than $50 million in annual revenue.
• Be incorporated for at least one year at the time of application and demonstrate the ability to finance the project.
• Demonstrate clean technology innovation starting at a minimum Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of 4–5, with the goal of reaching TRL 8 (operational readiness) by project completion.
• Focus on post-farmgate solutions, specifically within food processing or distribution (agriculture or primary production projects are not eligible).

Eligible Technology Priorities

Applicants must align their proposed innovation with one of the following priority areas:

• Low carbon energy and fuel systems: Energy-efficient processing technologies (e.g., microwave, infrared), heat pumps/recovery systems, novel refrigeration, and AI or hardware solutions for energy optimization.
• Emissions quantification: Software, AI, or sensor technologies that optimize energy management, carbon accounting, and enable operational emissions reductions. 
• Waste reduction or reuse: Advanced fermentation, food waste upcycling, side stream valorization, and sustainable packaging solutions.
• Water usage: Technologies addressing high water consumption or wastewater concentration challenges in food processing.

Project Size

Funding will support projects with total eligible costs aligned to the selected stream:

• Spark Stream: Up to $100,000 in funding
• Impact Stream: Between $250,000 and $1,000,000 in funding

CFIN will provide up to 50% of total eligible project costs.

Funding is provided on a reimbursement basis, and a non-refundable project management fee of 5% of total project costs eligible for CFIN funding will apply.

Timeline (Key Dates)

True North - Spark

True North - Impact

All funded projects must be completed by December 31, 2027.