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More funding freed up for organizations working on food security

Jun 9, 2020 | 7:49 AM

OTTAWA — The federal government is spending more money to help food banks and other community organizations working to increase food security.

Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau announced today a second round of applications are now being accepted for the government’s local food infrastructure fund.

Bibeau says $43.4 million is available and applications for grants up to $250,000 will be accepted.

The fund is a five-year program that was launched as part of a broader federal food policy in 2019.

Altogether, $50 million was allocated to reduce food insecurity and the first round of proposals saw 362 projects receive a total of $6.6 million.

The money is on top of extra support the federal government has already rolled out for Canada’s food banks to help with the challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 9, 2020.

The Canadian Press