Investment will advance Canada's National Food Security Strategy and support the domestic supply chain

PETERBOROUGH, ON, Oct. 15, 2026 /CNW/ -- Today, the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions, announced a $50 million investment in the Canadian Food Innovation Network (CFIN) through the Strategic Response Fund (SRF) and Canada's National Food Security Strategy.

Canadians continue to face cost-of-living increases as global trade shifts, conflicts and climate change affect supply chains and drive up costs for families. Strengthening domestic food-processing capacity, accelerating the adoption of advanced technologies and supporting innovation in the sector are central to Canada's National Food Security Strategy.

CFIN is an industry–led not–for–profit that helps food and beverage companies access the expertise, partners and technologies they need to innovate and grow. This additional SRF funding will enable CFIN to expand its services, helping more food and beverage processors, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SME), adopt and implement automation, artificial intelligence, digital manufacturing and other advanced technologies. Through this support, companies will be able to improve productivity, strengthen domestic processing capacity and accelerate the commercialization of Canadian-developed innovations.

With this funding, CFIN is expected to support more than 200 SMEs and expand its national network to 20,000 members through its established collaborative online platform and targeted programming. Through its network, CFIN is expected to facilitate up to $200 million in follow-on investment, create approximately 300 new jobs and support over 450 total full-time equivalent positions.

This investment contributes to the National Food Security Strategy's goals, including strengthening domestic food production, improving access to affordable, nutritious food, and advancing Canadian-developed technologies that make the food system more resilient and competitive. A strong Canadian food sector is fundamental to building a strong, united Canadian economy.

Quotes

"Canada has the talent, the resources and the determination to produce more here at home. Through the Strategic Response Fund, we are helping Canadian food companies harness innovation, automation and AI to boost productivity and competitiveness. Our investment in the Canadian Food Innovation Network will strengthen domestic processing capacity, support Canadian-made solutions and help ensure Canadians have access to a stronger, more affordable and more secure food system."
– The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions

"Our National Food Security Strategy reflects our commitment to growing Canada's agri-food sector and strengthening our food system for the future. By investing in innovation and advanced technologies, we're helping Canadian food processors improve productivity, expand domestic processing capacity and bring more Canadian-made food to market."
– The Honourable Heath MacDonald, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food

"A strong food system starts right here on our local farms. The Trent Farm Research Centre is helping improve how we grow food through research, hands-on learning and community partnerships. CFIN takes that innovation to the next level by helping food processors adopt new technology, grow and produce more efficiently. This $50 million investment will support good jobs and help build a stronger, more affordable food system for families across Canada."
– Emma Harrison, Member of Parliament for Peterborough

"Canada's food processors are working hard to keep prices in check, but many are doing it with equipment and systems that haven't kept pace with their global competitors. Food 4.0 is CFIN's plan to close that gap by helping manufacturers and processors adopt Canadian-made automation, AI and digital tools and by backing the homegrown companies that build them. With the Government of Canada's support, we can help our food sector produce more here at home and compete with the best in the world."
– Dana McCauley, Chief Executive Officer, Canadian Food Innovation Network

Quick facts

• The Canadian Food Innovation Network (CFIN) was established in 2021 as a national organization dedicated to stimulating transformative and transferrable innovation in the Canadian food sector.
• Since 2021, CFIN has built a national network of more than 9,500 members, supported more than 104 projects valued at approximately $43.4 million, facilitated over $140 million in follow-on investment, supported more than 1,000 jobs and contributed to more than 200 intellectual property applications.
• With more than 9,500 members from across the food value chain, including manufacturers, processors, distributors, operators, technology companies, funders and innovators, CFIN connects companies to new ideas, partners and technologies that help them grow and innovate.
• The Strategic Response Fund helps Canadian industries innovate, adapt and compete in a changing global economy. It supports large-scale, transformative projects that build economic resilience, strengthen supply chains and protect good jobs in key sectors such as steel, aluminum, automotive, forest products, artificial intelligence and advanced technologies.
• On June 11, 2026, Prime Minister Mark Carney launched Canada's first-ever National Food Security Strategy, backed by $3.2 billion in investments over 10 years, including the $1 billion Food-Link Fund.
• The strategy sets out a comprehensive approach to strengthening Canada's food system so that Canadians have more choice, more control and better access to affordable, locally produced food. By addressing structural barriers across the supply chain, the strategy aims to improve the way food is grown, processed, moved and sold by reducing unnecessary costs, increasing efficiency and supporting innovation.
• Building on existing investments, the strategy also aims to increase domestic production capacity, including controlled environment agriculture, and help reduce Canada's reliance on imports. Together, these actions will strengthen supply chain resilience, support economic growth and help ensure a more sustainable, competitive and reliable food system for all Canadians.

Associated links

• National Food Security Strategy
• Canadian Food Innovation Network
• Strategic Response Fund

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