School Food Infrastructure Fund
For more information, contact:
Email: SFIFinfo@unitedwayeo.ca
Voicemail: 613-683-3861
Voicemail and email are checked daily, and questions are referred to the appropriate staff.
United Way East Ontario has been selected by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) to receive $1 million funding to further distribute to eligible non-profit organizations within Ontario and Nunavut under AAFC’s School Food Infrastructure Fund (SFIF). For more details see the AAFC news release.
The SFIF supports not-for-profit organizations to improve infrastructure and equipment for school food programming across Canada.
As announced by the Government of Canada in Budget 2024, the SFIF is delivered as a complement to the National School Food Program, and the guidance provided under the National School Food Policy.
United Way East Ontario is further distributing funding by working with partner United Ways:
Who Can Apply?
All applicants must meet all of following criteria:
- Applicant must be a registered charity (with its own RR number) or a registered nonprofit organization (OCN BIN).
- Applicant must maintain a volunteer board that meets regularly.
- Applicant must host an Annual General Meeting.
- The applicant must carry sufficient liability insurance (at least $2 million) to cover the program/project seeking United Way funding.
- Applicant must provide financial statements that have been audited by a licensed public accountant.*
* Agencies with revenues under $250,000 may submit reviewed statements in lieu of audited statements. Reviewed statements should also come from a licensed public accountant.
Other Criteria
- The activities proposed by the applicant must benefit residents within the catchment areas of the partnering United Ways or Nunavut.
- The applicant (or partnering sponsor organization, in the case of sponsored applicants) must be financially solvent.
- Each application must include a letter of support from the partnering school or schoolboard.
- Late or incomplete submissions will not be accepted.
When are Applications Open?
The application period is open from February 12, 2025, and will close on March 19, 2025, at 5:00 PM EST. All applications must be submitted through the Agency Portal*.
Late submissions will not be considered.
Funding decisions will be communicated to applicants by May 1, 2025.
*Note: If your organization has an existing account, an account administrator must add you to their team using the “Manage Organization” button.
If your organization does not have an existing account, please contact SFIFinfo@unitedwayeo.ca.
Applicants Ineligible For Funding
- Municipal or school bodies
- Local governments
- Health authorities
- School boards or schools
- Governmental and quasi-governmental organizations
- Academic and educational institutions
- For-profit entities
Eligible Costs
While this list is not exhaustive, it is meant to provide guidance on the costs for ultimate recipients that are considered eligible and ineligible under the program.
Food Production
Eligible Cost Items | Ineligible Cost Items and Limitations |
|---|---|
• Gardens • Food forests • Garden boxes/beds/tools • Greenhouses or domes • Vertical and/or hydroponic gardens • Seeds, soil, compost | • Aquaponics and Aquaculture Equipment • Livestock • Safety equipment • Storage shed • Water hook-up (from the city/municipal water source) |
Transformation, processing, preparation of food
Eligible Cost Items | Ineligible Cost Items and Limitations |
|---|---|
• Essential cooking equipment, such as combination (combi) ovens, steamers, large and small kitchen appliances • Food preparation equipment, such as large capacity food processors, prep tables, mixers, slicers • Washing equipment, such as a commercial dishwasher, or equipment necessary to maintain hygiene standards with respect to food preparation • Receiving bay, loading dock • Kitchen tools (e.g. knives, cutting boards) and cookware | • Food (perishable and non-perishable) • Speciality coffee equipment • Donut makers • Deep fryers • Hand sinks • Cleaning supplies (e.g. mops, brooms, cloths) • Consumable supplies (such as dish soap, hair nets, jars, lids, vacuum seal bags, takeaway containers, personal protective equipment) |
Refrigeration and storage of food
Eligible Cost Items | Ineligible Cost Items and Limitations |
|---|---|
• Industrial refrigerators, freezers, walk-in cooler/freezer • Blast-chill or cook-chill equipment • Root cellar • Refrigerated or insulated shipping containers • Packaging equipment, such as vacuum sealers • Food storage racks • Shelving for food storage areas • Bulk storage containers for food/bins | • Any equipment pertaining to the storage of non-food items
|
Transportation and distribution of food
Eligible Cost Items | Ineligible Cost Items and Limitations |
|---|---|
• Vehicles including cargo van, refrigerated vehicle (eligible vehicles can be electric and can include related infrastructure) specifically to support school food programming involving multiple schools (e.g., including distribution to schools) • Trailers, refrigerated or non-refrigerated | • Food trucks • Passenger vehicles (for example, pick-up trucks/minivans) • Lease of vehicles • Transportation expenses (gas, maintenance) |
Other Costs
Eligible Cost Items | Ineligible Cost Items and Limitations |
|---|---|
• Contracted installation (only eligible for SFIF-funded equipment) • Freight and duty charges • One-time initial training for operation of a specialized piece of equipment funded under the project • Shipping • Site preparation, including removal and disposal of an old piece of equipment • Minor renovations, including updating electrical wiring, plumbing or ventilation, specifically in order to install commercial grade equipment and meet safety standards; equipment must also be funded under the project. • Minor renovations to a kitchen/food preparation area to facilitate the installation of equipment that is funded under the project. • Other materials and supplies related to the installation of funded equipment. | • Administrative costs • Computer and software equipment • Costs associated with ongoing operations (for example, labour, staff, rent, insurance, utilities) • Costs related to marketing activities or business promotion • Furniture • Generators • Salaries, honorariums, consultant fees, gift cards • HVAC systems • Lease of equipment • Major renovations to substantially adapt or refurbish an existing space • Major construction, including additions or new buildings • Purchase or lease of land or buildings • Signage • Training/technical assistance (e.g., to develop skills and expertise in nutrition, meal planning or food preparation) • Taxes (federal and provincial) • Warranty fees (for extended warranty, vehicles) |
Funded under the School Food Infrastructure Fund (SFIF) by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.
