Sustainable New Agri-Food Products & Productivity (SNAPP) Program

2. RAIN’s vision is to build a resilient farm and food sector in northern Ontario through innovative research and agricultural development projects. www.rainalgoma.ca

3. Sustainable New Agri-Food Products & Productivity (SNAPP) Program • Micro-grant program administered by RAIN and funded by FedNor • Provides up to $5,000 at 75% cost share to farm & food businesses in Northern Ontario • Collaborations of three or more are eligible for up to $15,000 at 75% cost share In Northern Ontario, many agriculture and food producers/businesses have difficulty funding equipment purchases for expansions such as value-added processing, season extension, productivity enhancements and clean tech projects.

5. Program Delivery Northern Ontario - divided into 4 regions: • Northwestern Ontario • Cochrane/Temiskaming/Nipissing • Algoma/Manitoulin • Sudbury/Parry Sound/Muskoka

6. Program Goals • Stimulate development and expansion of the agriculture and food sector in Northern Ontario • Address challenges specific to Northern Ontario agri-food production (such as a shorter production season, distance to markets and a lack of economies of scale) • Promote value-added processing and innovative production and processing practices that increase scalability, profitability and competitiveness • Improve efficiency or resource use, reducing ecological impact and carbon footprint while enhancing profitability

7. Project Streams • Season Extension – Projects that will enable producers to extend their production season, or to extend the seasonal availability of their perishable products through storage. • New Products – Projects that enable agriculture or food producers to create primary or processed products that are new to the business. • Productivity Enhancement – Projects that utilize innovative technologies or processes to increase efficiencies in their operations. • NEW! Clean Tech in Agri-food –Projects that adopt clean technology at the farm/business level and support improved environmental performance while fostering productivity, growth and competitiveness.

8. Eligible Applicants • Must be a legal person with the authority to enter into a legal agreement. (corporations, not-for-profits, primary producers, processors, distributors, First Nations, Metis, Inuit) • Applicants must have at least one component of their business located in Northern Ontario, and the project activity must occur in Northern Ontario. • Collaborations are accepted with three or more partners • For collaborations, at least two collaborators (legal entities) must be businesses, organizations or persons located in Northern Ontario. • Both start-up and existing businesses are eligible.

9. Eligible Costs • Food or fiber processing equipment • High-tunnels or greenhouse structures • Food packaging or labelling equipment • Cold storage equipment • Building materials • Farm production equipment • Equipment delivery costs • Technology upgrades

10. Ineligible Costs • Equipment installation or servicing • Rolling stock (any general-purpose vehicle used in transporting items or making deliveries from one place or another) • Inventory • Labour costs • Consumables (any non-permanent equipment, products or structures that cannot be used for multiple years) • Purchase or lease of lands or buildings • Gifts or incentives • Computer software • HST

11. Review Criteria • How novel the products to be developed are relative to Northern Ontario (New Product Stream) • How will season extension techniques be applied to the product (s). (Season Extension) • What new efficiencies will be implemented to increase production and decrease operating expenses (Productivity Stream) • The project clearly demonstrates environmental and ecological benefits at an impacting scale (Clean Tech in Agri-Food)

12. Review Criteria (cont.) • The use of innovative equipment or processes • The scalability of the project (ability to expand production/sales) • The economic or sales impact of the project on the business and on Northern Ontario • A clear marketing or distribution plan • A sound business plan (start-ups only) • Application completeness • (Articles of Incorporation, Farm Business Registration No., Master Business License, or Business Name Registration, whichever is applicable (required with application) • At least three quotes (from a supplier) for any purchase over $500 Applicants are to refer to the reporting requirements stated in the application terms and conditions info sheet before applying

13. Funding Payments • 90% of the approved funds will be released once the purchase is complete and proof of payment is submitted • The remaining 10% will be released once a final results report is submitted. This must be received within six months of the project completion deadline (or sooner) • This is to ensure that all equipment and materials purchased are put into use by the applicant(s)

14. SNAPP INTAKE 4

15. Contact Information • Algoma/ ManitoulinRural Agri-Innovation Network, Sault Ste. Marie Innovation CentreCathy Bouchard, SNAPP@rainalgoma.ca, 705-942-7927 Ext. 3135 • NorthwestCloverbelt Local Food Co-OpAndrea Habinski, andrea@cloverbeltlocalfoodcoop.com, • (807)221-3293 ext. 27 • Cochrane/ Timiskaming/ Nipissing (Bilingual Service) Northeast Community NetworkAntoine Vezina, antoine.vezina@timmins.ca, 705-360-2600 x7081 • Sudbury/Parry Sound/MuskokaEat Local Sudbury Co-OperativeAllison Muckle, amuckle@ssmic.com, 705-694-0165