The Food Storage, Distribution and Retail Program supports food system partnerships in BC to advance practices, processes, infrastructure, and collaborations that will strengthen and streamline food system logistics, storage, and transportation and address supply chain bottlenecks.
The Food Storage, Distribution and Retail Program (FSDR) is an up to $15M program funded by the Government of BC through the Ministry of Agriculture and Food (AF) and delivered by the Investment Agriculture Foundation of BC (IAF).
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Background
The FSDR program is under the Food Affordability and Innovation Fund (FAI), an up to $20M fund. FAI aims to improve the affordability of food in BC through targeted investments in supply chains, food system innovations and partnerships. Specifically, the Fund will support approaches and collaborations at strategic nodes along the food supply chain to strengthen and streamline logistics, storage and transportation and improve access to affordable food, particularly in remote, rural, and/or indigenous communities. Learn more about FAI.
Program Goal
To support food systems partnerships in BC to advance practices, processes, infrastructure, and collaborations that will strengthen and streamline food system logistics, storage, and transportation and address supply chain bottlenecks.
Program Objectives
- Improve and enhance food aggregation, storage, and distribution.
- Improve infrastructure and supply chain logistics within BC’s food system.
- Improve the supply of food to rural, remote, and/or Indigenous communities.
- Increase access to affordable food for British Columbians.
Approach
Eligibility Criteria
Applications
Application Process
Applicants will apply through the IAF Client Portal. Please create an account and register your organization. Once the IAF Team have validated your information you will be able to begin the application process. Do not wait to start this process – it can take up to two business days to validate your organization.
The application process and required documents may vary within each funding stream. The application process will generally consist of:
IAF staff are available to answer questions regarding eligible activities, costs and/or the application process. IAF may also contact applicants for additional information or clarification to assess or strengthen their application.
Applicants can contact fsdr(at)iafbc.ca with any questions about the program or to receive support in developing their application.
Applicants are encouraged to include only activities they are confident will be completed on time and within budget limits.
Review and Adjudication
The review and adjudication varies depending on the stream being applied for, as Stream 1 requires a two-step application process and Stream 2 requires a one-step application process.
Stream 1: Regional Distribution Networks and Shared Storage
- All EOIs received by the deadline will be reviewed for applicant eligibility, completeness and alignment with program goals and objectives.
- EOIs that are eligible will be invited to submit a full application starting on November 24, 2023.
- All full applications received by December 21, 2023 at 4:30 pm Pacific will be reviewed for activity eligibility and completeness.
- Applications will be prioritized according to the Prioritization framework for Stream 1 and due diligence will be conducted.
- Funding decisions will be made and communicated within 60 days of the application deadline.
Stream 2: Independent or Co-operative Grocery Retailers
- All full applications received by November 9, 2023 at 4:30 pm Pacific will be reviewed for applicant eligibility, activity eligibility and completeness.
- Applications will be prioritized according to the Prioritization framework for Stream 2 and due diligence will be conducted.
- Funding decisions will be made and communicated within 60 days of the application deadline.
Funding will be awarded based on eligibility, alignment with program goal and objectives, and prioritization criteria, subject to available funds.
All adjudication decisions are final.
Eligible applicants which rank equally with each other in the Prioritization Criteria will be funded according to the date and time on which the full application was submitted through the IAF Client Portal.
EOIs and applications may be assessed by a technical review / advisory committee and/or the Ministry of Agriculture and Food as required. If funding is not fully committed through the first intake, a second intake may be considered.
Notifications & Obligations
Funding Notifications & Contracts
If the project is approved, IAF will inform the applicant of the details of the decision and any associated terms and conditions. The applicant then enters into an agreement with IAF which outlines the obligations of each party.
Funding is application and project-specific and must be used for the approved project and related expenses. Funds are non-transferable.
If an Applicant is advised their project has been approved and the Applicant starts incurring costs, no costs are eligible for reimbursement unless a Contribution Agreement is ultimately signed between the applicant and the Investment Agriculture Foundation. Any costs incurred prior to signing of a Contribution Agreement, would be incurred solely at the applicant’s risk without obligation of payment with program funds.
All project activities and expenditures must be approved to be eligible for funding reimbursement.
Notice of an ‘Invitation to Apply’ to Stream 1 applicants will be issued within 30 days. Stream 2 applicants can expect to receive a funding decision within 60 days of the application deadline. Stream 1 and 2 projects may begin on or after January 1, 2024, and must be completed within 24 months by or before February 1, 2026. Retroactive costs may be considered on a case-by-case basis for Stream 1 projects.
If the project is not approved, the applicant will receive a written response from IAF.
Changes to Contracted Projects
If you are not able to complete your project or require a change, please inform the IAF Team as soon as possible using the IAF Client Portal.
Funding Acknowledgement
This program is funded by the Government of BC, as such acknowledgement of funding is required when publicly communicating about a project and/or funding. To ensure appropriate acknowledgement, all communications and marketing materials, including public announcements or social media posts, must be pre-approved by the IAF Communications Team. Materials can be submitted via the IAF Client Portal.
Reporting Requirements
Successful applicants must complete one or more activity and financial reports to receive payment from the program. This report must be filled out and submitted to IAF to be considered for funding reimbursement. It is important that reports are submitted on time and with all the required information. Please retain all invoices and receipts, you may be asked to submit some or all receipts/invoices following a review of your report by the IAF Team. Expenses will be reimbursed based on the approved project budget and/or audited receipts. All reporting will be completed via the IAF Client Portal.
Application Prioritization Criteria
Stream 1: Regional Distribution Networks and Shared Storage
Priority 1: Applications will be assessed on their Geographical Scope. Applications that (a) target rural and remote locations in BC and (b) benefit multiple locations will be prioritized. | |
Geographical Scope | Priority 1a: Rural and Remote Locations |
Locations that are outside urban areas (i.e., rural) or that are difficult to access (i.e., remote). | |
Priority 1b: Multiple Locations | |
More than one location is projected to positively impact from proposed activities. |
Priority 2: Based on the geographical scope, the application will then be prioritized based on its potential to have broad benefits. Applications that intend to (1) meet multiple outcomes of the program and (2) have multiple beneficiaries will be prioritized. | |
Broad Benefit | Key Outcomes Objectives |
Regional distribution networks improved. Volume of shared storage capacity increased. |
|
Beneficiaries | |
Project benefits extend beyond the applicant and multiple beneficiaries will benefit. |
Priority 3: Based on the geographical scope and broad benefit, the application will then be prioritized based on its potential for impact. Applications that (1) directly impact the volume and diversity of food available and (2) anticipate realizing their intended impact within 12 – 18 months of project completion will be prioritized. | |
Project Impact | Scale of Impact |
Project will improve the supply chain to positively impact the volume and/or diversity of food moving through the distribution system providing better access to food for BC citizens. |
|
Timeline of Impact | |
The benefits of the project will be realized within 12 – 18 months of the project being completed. |
Stream 2: Independent or Co-operative Grocery Retailers
Alignment with program objectives:
Priority 1.1 | Improving supply of food to rural, remote, and/or indigenous communities. |
Priority 1.2 | Improving and enhancing food aggregation, storage, and distribution. |
Priority 1.2 | (equal with above) Improving infrastructure and supply chain logistics within BC’s food system. |
Eligible applicants which rank equally with each other in the Prioritization Criteria will be funded according to the date and time on which the completed application was submitted through the IAF Client Portal.
Ready to Apply?
Resources

We gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Province of British Columbia through the Ministry of Agriculture and Food.