Backgrounder: CanNor invests over $1.2 million in community-driven food projects

April 21, 2026 – Whitehorse, Yukon – Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor)

This information adds to the news release issued on April 21 The Government of Canada invests over $1.2 million to grow Yukon’s food systems which outlines CanNor’s support, the businesses and organizations that received funding, and their projects.

The Government of Canada is providing up to $1,264,308 for five projects aimed at developing local infrastructure and supports for food production, safe storage and distribution in the Yukon. These projects will create new opportunities for First Nations governments and communities, harvesters, and other professionals in the food sector.

Project information

Project: Regional retail infrastructure renewal – Ross River
Recipient: Ross River Dena Council
Location: Ross River, Yukon
Details: This two-year project will support pre-construction activities for a new general store in Ross River, a community of approximately 350 residents in southeast Yukon. This infrastructure investment will maintain essential services in the region, including access to groceries, household goods, and postal and banking services, while supporting a long-term economic vision for the community.
CanNor contribution: Up to $660,297
Funding program: IDEANorth

Project: Sustainable food security infrastructure enhancement
Recipient: Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation
Location: Old Crow, Yukon
Details: This two-year project will create a community food security plan, complete a feasibility assessment and advance early-stage activities to establish a shared cold/dry facility to provide safe, energy-efficient storage for country foods and perishables. The Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation is a self-governing First Nation based in Old Crow, an isolated, fly-in only community of approximately 240 residents.
CanNor contribution: Up to $156,000
Funding program: NICI

Project: Cultivating resilience: mobile lab scale-up and capacity development
Recipient: Replic8 Technologies Inc.
Location: Whitehorse, Yukon
Details: Through this two-year project Replic8 Technologies Inc. will expand its mobile rural and remote agricultural services, which enables growers of all sizes and types to access disease-free, high yielding plants through sustainable and predictable technologies. This project includes creating marketing materials to promote plant tissue propagation, developing a training program for users, and installing renewable energy systems in their mobile lab to make it more sustainable.
CanNor contribution: Up to $99,999
Funding program: NICI

Project: Micro-abattoir construction
Recipient: Tum Tum’s Black Gilt Meats
Location: Whitehorse, Yukon
Details: Through this two-year project, a micro-abattoir will be constructed to provide essential slaughter services for Tum Tum’s butcher shop, enabling their business to expand, and providing other local livestock producers an inspected facility to process their animals. Tum Tum’s is a family-owned small business that operates a butcher and retail shop on Takhini Hot Springs Road.
CanNor contribution: Up to $99,999; the Government of Yukon is providing up to $289,321
Funding program: NICI

Project: Winery and Food Production and Geodesic Dome Agri-tourism
Recipient: 835564 Yukon Inc., who will lease to Yukon Berry Farms
Location: Whitehorse, Yukon
Details: Through this three-year project, 835564 Yukon Inc. will build new infrastructure that will be leased to Yukon Berry Farms (YBF), including a new processing facility, allowing the business to expand significantly by producing food and beverage products locally for export. It will also open a tasting room and event space, giving the company opportunities to showcase its food and drink products to both residents and visitors.
CanNor contribution: Up to $248,013 through a repayable contribution; the Government of Yukon is providing up to $200,000
Funding program: IDEANorth