LONDON, ON, Sept. 14, 2026 /CNW/ -- The world is changing rapidly, trade shifts, global conflict, and climate change are all putting growing pressure on our food security systems. In response, Canada is charting a new course. We are building our strength at home and diversifying our partnerships abroad – creating new opportunities for long-term growth, resilience, and investment.

Today, the Honourable Heath MacDonald, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food announced the launch of Farm Credit Canada's (FCC) $1 billion Agri‑food Project Finance Fund, and $150 million to Velocity Agri-Capital Partners through FCC Capital's $2 billion investment commitment.

The $1 billion Agri-food Project Finance Fund, created and delivered by FCC, is a key commitment under the National Food Security Strategy (NFSS) and will help finance mid-market agri‑food infrastructure projects across the country. The Agri‑food Project Finance Fund will help address financing gaps, support the development of critical infrastructure and technology needed to grow Canada's value‑added food sector, and increase domestic processing capacity.

Velocity Agri-Capital Partners will receive $150 million to focus on opportunities in the agri-food and agri-tech sectors across the value chain that are positioned to help strengthen Canada's food system. Together, FCC and Velocity are accelerating commercialization, expanding processing capacity, diversifying supply chains, and building international pathways that strengthen resilience and competitiveness across Canada's food system.

This investment is a concrete example of how FCC is delivering on its commitment to advance agtech innovation in Canada's agriculture and food industry. As announced in May 2025, FCC is committing $2 billion by 2030 with new funding designed to advance value‑added, capital‑intensive projects that expand processing capacity, support domestic supply chains, and unlock new economic opportunities for Canadian producers and processors.

These investments are catalysing growth across the agriculture and agri-food sector. By creating good-paying jobs, strengthening local economies, supporting infrastructure, and helping Canadian businesses compete around the world, the Government of Canada is building a stronger, more resilient food system for Canadians.

Quotes 

"Our government is focused on strengthening Canada's food system so Canadians can count on a reliable supply of high-quality, affordable food. This new $1 billion fund, combined with the $150 million investment in Velocity Agri-Capital Partners, will help Canadian agri‑food businesses bring ambitious projects to life, expand processing capacity, and grow value here at home. By investing in innovation and infrastructure, we're supporting producers and ensuring Canada's food system is resilient for the future."

 - The Honourable Heath MacDonald, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food

"Canada's agriculture and food industry has a generational opportunity to meet the growing demand at home and around the world for reliable, safe, and nutritious food. Agri-food Project Finance is a critical financing tool which will unlock the right projects to help Canada build the infrastructure and processing capacity we need for a stronger, more resilient, and more self-reliant food system. This launch rounds out FCC's full complement of capital solutions, ensuring Canadian producers and agri-businesses have the financing and investment tools they need to seize this generational opportunity."

 - Justine Hendricks, President and Chief Executive Officer, Farm Credit Canada

"Canada's agri-food sector is strategically important to our global brand and our trading relationships. The world needs what we grow and produce and it's time for us to build on our strength in commodities and into higher-value add products. Velocity Capital is in discussions with Canadian and International investors regarding additional capital commitments of up to $350 million. The fund will help move Canada up the value chain, and into active capital deployment with Canadian companies ready to export to Southeast Asia and attract foreign investment from Southeast Asian companies looking to domicile and build jobs here."

 - Arlene Dickinson, General Partner, Velocity Agri-Capital Partners

"London is home to world-class agri-food businesses that are creating jobs, driving innovation, and contributing to Canada's food system. This investment will help businesses take ambitious projects from the drawing board to reality, while strengthening our local economy and creating new opportunities across the region. Supporting the growth of Canada's agri-food sector means supporting good jobs and a stronger economy in London and across the country."

 - Peter Fragiskatos, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship and Member of Parliament of London Centre

"From Arva Flour Mills to businesses across London and the surrounding region, our agri-food sector is an important part of our local economy. This new fund will help Canadian businesses invest, grow and bring more food processing and manufacturing opportunities home. By strengthening businesses in our community, we're helping create good jobs and a more resilient food system for Canadians."

 - The Honourable Arielle Kayabaga, Deputy House Leader and Member of Parliament for London West

Quick Facts

• Backed by more than $3 billion in investments over 10 years, the National Food Security Strategy (NFSS) announced in June is designed to help make life more affordable for Canadians, drive productivity and innovation, support Canadian businesses, increase competition, and strengthen resiliency across the food system.
• FCC's $1 billion Agri-food Project Finance Fund will support capital-intensive, high-potential agri-food projects, with a focus on mid-market infrastructure.
• The fund will help address financing gaps for complex projects, enabling more initiatives to move from concept to construction.
• The first phase of expression of interest in FCC's Agri-food Project Finance Fund launched this morning. Those wishing to learn more or participate in are encouraged to visit FCC's website.
• In February 2026, FCC announced it had convened a coalition of more than 20 investment organizations collectively prepared to deploy up to $5 billion into Canadian agriculture and food innovation by 2030.
• This new coalition pledge built on the momentum of FCC's May 2025 commitment to invest $2 billion by 2030 to drive innovation across the agriculture and food industry.
• Velocity Capital, a growth equity fund led by Arlene Dickinson with teams in Canada and Singapore, backs high‑potential agri‑food and agri‑tech companies to scale across North America and export into Southeast Asia.

Associated Links

• National Food Security Strategy
• Strategic Response Fund

Follow us on Facebook, X, YouTube, Instagram, and LinkedIn
Web: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

SOURCE Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada