The provincial and federal governments will soon be accepting grant applications to help minority groups start and build businesses in the agri-food sector.
The new $1.5 million Agricultural Workforce Equity and Diversity Initiative (AWEDI) will provide grants of up to $100,000 to support business ventures led by primary agricultural producers and food processors who are Indigenous peoples, visible minorities, 2SLGBTQI+ people, persons with disabilities, youth, women, or members of French linguistic minority communities.
“Making sure we have greater diversity in the agriculture and agri-food sector helps to create a more competitive, inclusive, and resilient food system,” said Lawrence MacAulay, the federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, in a news release. “This initiative will help folks from under-represented groups get started and succeed while making the sector even stronger.”
Grant applications will be accepted from October 8 until December 3.
Successful applicants will also receive resources to help with financing and additional support to access spaces and equipment to grow or process agri-food products.
The initiative will be funded through the Sustainable CAP, a five-year, $3.5 billion investment by federal, provincial and territorial governments to strengthen competitiveness, innovation, and resiliency of Canada’s agriculture, agri‐food and agri‐based products sector.