Next Monday, the federal agriculture department will start accepting applications for the Local Food Infrastructure Fund. This program offers cash grants for various agricultural needs, including garden boxes, refrigeration units, greenhouses, ATVs, snowmobiles, tractors, and hydroponic systems. However, there is a stipulation: recipients must use the funds to support food production specifically for equity-deserving groups.

The program explicitly states that it will not fund projects that do not address food security for these groups. Priority will be given to initiatives that primarily serve equity-deserving communities, particularly those led by or focused on Indigenous and Black populations.

The Local Food Infrastructure Fund was established in 2019 with an initial budget of $50 million, intended to enhance food security for at-risk populations without discrimination based on identity. At that time, applicants were required to provide data on food insecurity in their communities. Notable recipients included Food Banks Canada, the Breakfast Club of Canada, and the Salvation Army.

The fund has since been extended for another three years, with an additional $63 million available for grants ranging from $25,000 to $500,000. The criteria for funding have shifted to focus on identity. Current application guidelines ask whether organizations support diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), if they are Black-led or Black-focused, and if they have a DEI staffing plan. They also inquire about the equity-deserving groups served and ownership demographics.

A spokesperson for Agriculture Canada addressed the changes, suggesting that the new emphasis on equity-deserving groups aligns with a recent federal language guide. They asserted that the target populations have always included similar groups, listing non-white individuals, Indigenous peoples, women, LGBTQ+ individuals, the disabled, low-income families, and others facing social or employment barriers.

Critics argue that the definition of at-risk populations is now too narrow. The applicant guide for the Local Food Infrastructure Fund specifies a closed list of equity-seeking groups, including Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, visible minorities, women, youth, and 2SLGBTQI+ individuals. This has led to concerns that programs serving low-income, rural, white seniors may not qualify for funding.

The agriculture department's explanation of the program's focus has raised questions about its clarity and inclusivity. The shift in criteria reflects a broader trend in federal funding that prioritizes identity-based initiatives, which some view as discriminatory.