Food Safety for Processors Program

Eligible applicants include existing Saskatchewan agri-businesses involved in food processing of Saskatchewan agricultural products including fruit growers, vegetable growers or greenhouse operations who meet the following requirements:

• The agri-business must be existing and in operation for a minimum of two years to access all funding streams, with the exception of the Food Safety Training.
• Must be manufacturing, processing, treating, preserving, packaging and/or labelling food product for commercial sale for human consumption, beyond the direct consumer where retail is not a primary line of business.
• Must make a physical transformation or upgrade a raw/primary agricultural product(s) or any agricultural by-product or waste into a new or upgraded product, excluding fruit growers, vegetable growers or greenhouse operations involved in packaging produce.
• Must file an income tax return in Saskatchewan or be able to provide other documentation indicating they are duly registered and authorized to conduct business in Saskatchewan.
• Fruit growers, vegetable growers or greenhouse operations must have Good Agricultural Practices (CanadaGAP) certification or Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) recognized certification.

The following facilities are not eligible for funding:

• Micro-breweries, wineries, distilleries and other producers of beverage alcohol.
• Meat processors without slaughter.
• Facilities that solely process pet food/animal feed.
• Greenhouses that primarily support nursery/potting plants.
• Facilities that process cannabis or other cannabis related products.
• Retail or wholesale facilities such as grocery stores.

Food Safety Gap Analysis

• The Saskatchewan Food Industry Development Centre (Food Centre) has been approved to conduct the Food Safety Gap Analysis for eligible applicants. Food Safety Gap Analysis must be completed no later than October 31, 2022.
• Applicants are to contact the Food Centre directly for information on how to obtain support to have a Food Safety Gap Analysis completed at their facility.
• The Food Safety Gap Analysis assesses the specific needs of the applicant to reach or maintain food safety requirements as required by The Safe Food for Canadians Act and regulations, meat inspection legislation/regulations or other food safety systems.
• The Food Safety Gap Analysis will be valid for the life of the Canadian Agricultural Partnership unless major changes occur at the facility requiring a new analysis. The analysis will identify opportunities relating, but not limited to training, equipment, facility (structure), sanitation and pest control, traceability and recall procedures.
• An existing Food Safety Gap Analysis by a qualified independent third-party may be reviewed on a case-by-case basis and validated by the Food Centre.
• A recognized Food Safety Gap Analysis is required for eligible applicants to access Food Safety Systems and Food Processor Upgrade Projects.

Food Safety System

• The Food Centre has been approved to develop and support implementation of Food Safety Systems for eligible applicants. Food Safety Systems developed must be completed by February 28, 2023.
• Applicants are to contact the Food Centre directly for information on how to obtain support to develop a Food Safety System.
• Eligible applicants must obtain a Food Safety Gap Analysis before applying for funding for a Food Safety System.
• Food Safety Systems include, but not limited to Canadian Food Inspection Agency preventive control plans, British Retail Consortium (BRC), Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) and FSSC 22000.

Food Safety Training

Eligible applicants can seek funding from the ministry for food safety training. Applicants must apply and receive pre-approval prior to commencing any Food Safety Training.

Food Processor Upgrade Project

Eligible applicants can seek funding from the ministry for food processor upgrade projects. Applicants must apply and receive pre-approval prior to commencing any Food Processor Upgrade Project.

• A Food Safety Gap Analysis is required to access funding for a Food Processor Upgrade Project.
• Facility upgrades must address food safety issues identified in the gap analysis.
• Upgrades must be in areas where food is processed, packaged or stored. Storage upgrades will be considered where temperature control is a regulatory requirement.
• Equipment and materials must be installed and fully paid for at time of claim. No interim payments will be made.
• Project expenses must be related to upgrading operations to meet food safety standards as outlined in the applicant's gap analysis.
• Equipment approved for upgrading must no longer be used in food processing. Proof of decommissioning may be required. Any sale proceeds from the equipment being replaced will be deducted from the cost of the new equipment.

Ineligible expenses include:

• Used, refurbished, leased equipment or equipment purchased at auction.
• Purchases that are not identified within the contract.
• Non-arm's-length or non-third party transactions.
• Legal, financing, brokerage or interest fees, GST, PST or other taxes, levies or fees
• Upgrades in the retail area of the operation.
• Travel, per diems or meals.
• New buildings, additions, or upgrades outside of the processing and packaging areas.
• Purchase of land or buildings.
  • Expansions to the existing footprint of the facility.
• Transactions including payment in-kind.
• Use of own equipment.
• Paid labour/salaries/wages of operator or employees.
• Expenses for ongoing activities or other typical operating expenses.
• Items considered as regular repair or maintenance.
• Applicant/employee labour for installation costs.
• Shipping costs relating to eligible items.
• Items related to the addition of processing lines and equipment for the sole purpose of producing new products.
• Office equipment and supplies.
• Computers and related hardware/software.
• Administration costs.
• Cars, trucks, tractors, trailers, forklifts and other mobile motorized equipment.
• Farm equipment.
• Production disturbances or disruptions.
• Business planning or marketing.
• Audit costs.
• Costs claimed for expenses or activities which may receive funding under other Canadian Agricultural Partnership programs, or any other government grant, rebate or assistance program.

Deadline to apply was December 1, 2022.

All claims for rebate must be submitted by the date indicated in the approved applicant contract. All projects are to be completed by March 15, 2023.

Completed application packages can be submitted by email or mail to:
agprograms@gov.sk.ca
or
Ministry of Agriculture, Programs Branch
329 – 3085 Albert Street
Regina SK  S4S 0B1