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FCC launches project finance initiative to fill $1-billion capital gap in agri-food processing. Sep 14, 2026 by Lyndsey Smith Other Episodes: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's Minister Heath MacDonald today announced the launch of Farm Credit Canada's (FCC) $1-billion Agri-Food Project Finance program to expand domestic capacity for value-added processing and manufacturing across the country. Capital-intensive agricultural infrastructure often struggles to secure traditional debt financing, leaving a gap where Canadian commodities are exported as raw goods and re-imported as finished products, and this is where the initiative fits in, says Graeme Millen, vice president of strategic finance and business development at FCC. He says this new initiative is a targeted capital solution to address structural financing challenges in the agri-food sector. Story continues below Unlike conventional balance-sheet lending, project finance establishes debt around a standalone project company, relying on the asset's cash flow for repayment. While global project finance traditionally targets multi-billion-dollar infrastructure developments, FCC's model caters to mid-market Canadian developments ranging from $25 million to $500 million or more. "We know that it's a really foundational layer to maximize the value from the stuff that we grow here at home," says Millen, noting that the initiative supports startups, established firms, and standalone development entities. FCC is holding a 60-day call for expressions of interest to evaluate shovel-ready projects and analyze broader market demand across different sub-sectors. Millen adds that investing in domestic processing capability directly strengthens primary producers. "If we can build more value-added manufacturing processing in Canada, it gives Canadian producers a stronger domestic market to sell to, because at the end of the day, everything that FCC is doing is intended to reinforce the strength of our primary agricultural market," Millen says. Also announced today is $150 million for Velocity Agri-Capital Partners earmarked 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, says AAFC.

Venture capital for food-tech Innovation is shifting flow, report finds. The Canadian Food Innovation Network today released its report covering the nation's food-tech ecosystem. Across the first half of 2026, nearly 50 fundraising events have generated more than $60M in capital for food-tech companies nationwide. British Columbia saw the biggest raise of the second quarter by far. In March, Vancouver-based agtech company Miraterra raised $16 million in an oversubscribed funding round led by At One Ventures with participation from Farm Credit Canada, S2G Investments, the Sitka Foundation, and iSelect. Miraterra is building what it describes as a full-stack measurement platform for soil, combining spectroscopy, genomics, and machine learning to generate more comprehensive environmental data. The startup's proprietary "Digitizer" device integrates Raman spectroscopy and AI to analyze soil and food, aiming to improve how agricultural systems are measured and managed. Miraterra's sizeable round accounted for roughly half of all fundraising secured by Canadian food-techs during the second quarter of 2026. The company's big raise reflects a broader shift in food-tech, suggests CFIN's report. Over the past decade, the sector was dominated by consumer-facing apps, meal kits, and restaurant software; these categories of company are no longer raising capital, at least in Canada. Lately, capital has been flowing into areas like advanced manufacturing, food traceability technologies, and next-gen ingredient innovations, according to the report, with more than 90% of financing earmarked for these categories. In particular, recent developments in food automation could see a first-of-its-kind autonomous factory in Canada. Earlier this month, CFIN awarded more than $700,000 to eight food-tech projects through its Innovation Booster Program, including BC-based FabriSight Solutions.

FCC supports mental health in the ag community. July 16, 2026 Farm Credit Canada (FCC) and the Canadian Centre for Agricultural Wellbeing (CCAW) has renewed its partnership to sustain and expand the National Farmer Wellness Network (NFWN) Crisis Line, 1-866-FARMS01 (1-866-327-6701). The renewed investment of $1.8 million over three years ($600,000 annually) will allow the program to continue providing tailored, no-cost mental health and crisis support to Canada's farmers, farm families, and agricultural workers. Since launching in February 2025, the National Farmer Wellness Network Crisis Line has connected agricultural workers across Canada with licensed mental health professionals trained through the Canadian Agricultural Literacy Program (CALP), specialists who understand the unique pressures of farming life. The renewal ensures that this vital service continues uninterrupted. Farming remains one of Canada's most demanding occupations. Financial volatility, geographic isolation, unpredictable weather, and the emotional weight of caring for land and livestock create compounding mental health pressures that general support services are often ill-equipped to address. The NFWN Crisis Line was built specifically to meet farmers where they are, and this renewed commitment ensures it will keep doing so. "The response to the National Farmer Wellness Network Crisis Line since its launch has confirmed what we always knew, there is a deep and urgent need for mental health support that speaks the language of farming," says Dr. Briana Hagen, CEO and lead scientist, Canadian Centre for Agricultural Wellbeing FCC's renewed investment means The Grower can continue building on this foundation, reaching more farmers and agricultural workers who need immediate, culturally informed support. This partnership is about more than a phone line; it's about ensuring Canada's agricultural community knows it is seen, valued, and never alone." "Farming and ranching asks a lot of people. Behind every operation are individuals and families managing uncertainty, long hours and immense responsibility. That's why FCC is proud to continue its support to the National Farmer Wellness Network so farmers and farm families have access to trusted mental health support from professionals who understand the unique realities of agriculture, whenever they need it," said Justine Hendricks, president and CEO, FCC.