Are you an innovator with a great solution that prevents and/or diverts food waste? Or are you trying to advance a technology that can extend the shelf-life of food or transform food waste? If so, the Food Waste Reduction Challenge is for you!

In response, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC), under the Food Policy for Canada, is launching the $20M Food Waste Reduction Challenge.

Food Waste refers to all food that is grown, harvested, processed, manufactured or prepared for human consumption, but never eaten by people. It occurs at all stages of the food supply chain, from farm to plate.

In Canada and around the world, food waste continues to increase, resulting in an overuse of their natural resources such as water, soil and land, while contributing excess greenhouse gas emissions to our atmosphere. Meanwhile, a growing number of Canadians are facing food insecurity.

They are accepting applications for Challenge Streams A and B:

• Challenge Stream A: Business models that prevent food waste
• Challenge Stream B: Business models that divert food waste, food by-products and/or surplus food

Funding Information

• Up to 30 Prizes of $100,000: Open to all eligible innovators submitting a concept application at Stage 1.
• Up to 12 Prizes of $400,000: Open to all Semi-Finalists who reach Stage 2.
• Up to 2 Grand Prizes of $1,500,000: Open to all Finalists who reach Stage 3.

Who Can Apply to a Challenge Stream?

• Businesses and social enterprises of any size
• Not-for-profit and charitable organizations
• Indigenous organizations and groups
• Post-secondary/academic institutions
• Individuals or group of individuals
• International applicants with a Canadian partner or an ability to register to do business in Canada are encouraged to apply.

For more information, visit Impact Canada.