Canada’s food-processing sector is getting a $50 million federal investment to accelerate technology adoption, with approximately 300 new jobs expected through the initiative.
Industry Minister Mélanie Joly announced the funding for the Canadian Food Innovation Network (CFIN) on October 15. It will help food and beverage processors, particularly small and medium-sized businesses, implement automation, artificial intelligence and digital manufacturing.
Delivered through the Strategic Response Fund under Canada’s National Food Security Strategy, the investment is expected to support more than 200 SMEs and over 450 total full-time equivalent positions, including the projected new jobs.
CFIN also expects to facilitate up to $200 million in follow-on investment and expand its national network to 20,000 members.
CFIN CEO Dana McCauley described its Food 4.0 initiative as a way to help processors modernize while supporting Canadian companies developing automation, AI and digital tools.
For Canada’s technology ecosystem, the initiative connects two priorities: helping established manufacturers adopt advanced technologies and accelerating commercialization for homegrown innovators.
Founded in 2021, CFIN connects food businesses with expertise, partners and technology to improve productivity and strengthen domestic processing capacity.