Food producers looking to expand their product line or improve their processing can access funding from the 2024-25 Value-Adding Equipment Program.

“New equipment can be expensive, making it hard for agricultural businesses to expand and innovate. This program will help businesses in Nova Scotia reduce some of their costs, so they can create new products, improve their efficiency, and increase food production to feed communities right across the province.”

- The Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food

“We’re supporting more local food being produced right here in Nova Scotia. This program helps rural, agricultural businesses innovate and increase food production making new, exciting products, or scaling up an existing value-added business.”

- Greg Morrow, Agriculture Minister, Nova Scotia

"We’re proud to produce quality feta cheese at our family-run business right here in Nova Scotia. Last year’s Value-Adding Equipment program helped us improve efficiency in our processing and introduce a brand-new line of products that helped us serve new customers like new Canadians who appreciate our authentic flavours and line of Mediterranean cheese."

- Susan Tziolas, co-founder, Holmestead Cheese Sales Ltd., Aylesford, Nova Scotia

“We are thrilled to be growing our cider company here in Cape Breton. The Value-Adding Equipment program has allowed us to keep growing by purchasing our own on-site canning system.  It will allow us to maximize our production schedule, create efficiencies, and package more product in cans which will help the environment and is appreciated by our customers."

- Jill McPherson, founder, Island Folk Cider House, Sydney, Nova Scotia

• The Value Adding Equipment Program is supported with a $475,000 investment this year, cost-shared between the Nova Scotia and federal governments 

• Guidelines for the 2024-25 program have been updated in consultation with industry, the Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture, Agriculture and Agri Food Canada and Perennia, the provincial development agency focused on the agriculture, seafood and food and beverage sectors

• Value-added modifications eligible for funding may include value-added processing equipment and the cost of installing it

• The Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership is a 5-year (2023-2028), $3.5-billion agreement between the federal, provincial and territorial governments to strengthen the competitiveness, innovation, and resilience of the agriculture, agri‐food and agri‐based products sector. This includes $1 billion in federal programs and activities and $2.5 billion that is cost-shared 60% federally and 40% provincially/territorially for programs that are designed and delivered by provinces and territories

Associated links

• Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership
• Perennia

For media:

Francis Chechile
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
francis.chechile@agr.gc.ca

Media Relations
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Ottawa, Ontario
613‑773-7972
1-866-345-7972
aafc.mediarelations-relationsmedias.aac@agr.gc.ca
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Bruce Nunn
Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture
Cell: 902-476-6454
Email: Bruce.x.Nunn@novascotia.ca