Food Banks Canada 2026 Capacity Boost Grant

Food Banks Canada has opened applications for the 2026 Capacity Boost Grant, a major funding opportunity designed to strengthen food banks across the country. This grant supports organizations working to increase their ability to accept, store, transport, and distribute food efficiently, ultimately helping more households facing food insecurity.

About the Capacity Boost Grant 2026

The Capacity Boost Grant is part of Food Banks Canada’s 5-year Strategic Plan launched in 2025. The plan focuses on reducing long-standing bottlenecks that prevent surplus food from reaching people who need it most. These challenges include limited storage facilities, transportation issues, and inadequate equipment for handling perishable foods.

The 2026 grant aims to build a more connected and resilient food bank network by funding practical solutions that improve capacity and increase food availability for vulnerable communities.

Who Can Apply?

The program is open to organizations within the Food Banks Canada network, including:

• Affiliate food banks that belong to provincial associations
• Provincial food bank associations
• Food banks and food security organizations in the territories and remote northern regions

Important Eligibility Notes

• Only one application is allowed per organization.
• Groups of food banks may apply jointly, sharing resources and impact to strengthen their proposal.
• Organizations with overdue reports from previous FBC grants must complete them before applying.
• Applicants must have at least one trained staff or volunteer with recognized safe food-handling certification.

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Grant Objectives

Projects must clearly show how they will support one or both of the following goals:

1. Improve system capacity to accept, store, and distribute food efficiently.
2. Increase the amount of food available to households facing hunger.

Eligible Expenses

The 2026 Capacity Boost Grant funds a wide range of capacity-building purchases and projects, including:

Storage & Refrigeration

• Freezers, fridges, cooler rooms
• Walk-in cold storage units
• Safe food-handling equipment

Transportation

• Cargo vans
• Refrigerated vehicles
• Retrofitted vehicles
• Trailers
• Short-term leasing for delivery vehicles

Operational Enhancements

• Warehouse rentals (with a long-term plan)
• Forklifts, pallet jacks, product-handling tools
• Inventory management software
• Consultant fees for capacity planning
• Food processing equipment (mixers, combi ovens, slicers, sealers, freeze dryers)
• Emergency generators
• Part-time staffing costs linked to the project

Food Banks Canada encourages applicants to choose energy-efficient or EPA-compliant equipment that supports environmental sustainability.

Ineligible Expenses

Funding cannot be used for:

• Rent, utilities, hydro
• Food or consumable items
• Costs from past projects
• Financial commitments extending beyond August 31, 2026
• Cosmetic renovations not essential to the project

Grant Timeline

Food Banks Canada also encourages applications from organizations serving Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour (BIPOC) communities.

Apply Now!

Applications must be submitted on or before December 15, 2025 (5:00 p.m. EST).

For more information, visit the Food Banks Canada.