Food purchasing
Purchase food to expand an established food program. At least 40% must be sourced locally and shown through receipts.
Government of Nova Scotia · 2026-2027
Local Food Security Initiatives
Funding for community-rooted projects that help vulnerable Nova Scotians access healthy, culturally appropriate, and locally produced or prepared food.
Application deadline
11:59 p.m. on August 31, 2026
Applications postmarked on the deadline date are accepted.
About the program
Local solutions for stronger food systems
Community organizations are often best placed to understand local needs and support neighbours experiencing food insecurity. The Local Food Security Initiatives program helps eligible Nova Scotia organizations strengthen access to nourishing food and build more sustainable, collaborative food systems.
The program supports projects that:
- Procure healthy, culturally appropriate, and locally produced or prepared food.
- Increase an organization’s capacity to make food-security programming more sustainable.
- Create partnerships and local food systems that remove barriers to sourcing and distributing food.
- Bring organizations together to plan, collaborate, and demonstrate collective impact.
What funding can support
Eligible project activities
Equipment and software
Make a one-time purchase that increases an organization’s ability to make, grow, or distribute food.
Collaboration
Bring organizations together to build networks, coordinate services, or develop joint projects, including venue or facilitator costs.
Eligibility
Who can apply?
- Nova Scotia Joint Stocks-registered non-profit societies in good standing.
- Federally registered charities or non-profit corporations in good standing.
- Nova Scotian Mi’kmaw bands.
Individuals are not eligible to receive program payments.
Examples of eligible costs
Food, one-time equipment or software, and costs directly related to collaboration or network development.
Ineligible costs
Projects consisting only of research, projects where employment is the only cost, and major renovations or capital improvements.
Funding levels
Three application tiers
Tier 1
Up to $10,000No applicant cash or in-kind contribution is required.
Tier 2
$10,001-$50,000A minimum 25% contribution is required, including at least 10% of total project cost in applicant cash. At least one active collaborating partner is required.
Tier 3
$50,001-$100,000A minimum 25% cash contribution is required, along with at least three collaborating organizations.
Preparing an application
What you need to submit
Complete the form
Provide organization details, project dates, communities served, objectives, activities, resources, partners, and anticipated impact.
Prepare the project overview
Explain your organization, project activities, key personnel, timeline, program alignment, partnerships, and long-term sustainability.
Attach a detailed budget
Include total project costs, all revenues, and all expenses, plus the required contribution for your funding tier.
Sign and submit
Include relevant support letters, photos, or other materials, confirm the declarations, and ensure the completed form is signed and dated.
Assessment priorities
Complete applications must clearly support at least one program theme. Higher priority may be given to projects that build on existing partnerships, include equity-deserving communities, demonstrate community support for gardens, or introduce a new initiative. Review normally takes two to three months.
Ready to apply?
Start with the application form.
Download the fillable PDF, save a copy to your computer, and complete every section. Submit the signed form, budget, and supporting documents before the deadline.
Program contact
- Email: CCTH.food@novascotia.ca
- Telephone: 902-424-5793
- Communities Nova Scotia
Department of Communities, Culture, Tourism & Heritage
PO Box 456, STN Central
1741 Brunswick Street, 3rd Floor
Halifax, NS B3J 2R5