Rural Support Program

Program goals: Due to their location, food banks situated outside of urban centres face unique challenges related to accessing food and raising funds as well as learning from best practices. Food Banks Canada identified the need to more widely support rural food banks, and has expanded the former Syngenta Rural FoodShare Fund into the Rural Support Program.

Support: There are several elements of this program. The Transportation Grant – which will function in a similar fashion to the previous Syngenta Rural FoodShare Fund – will reimburse rural food banks for transportation costs. Affiliate Member food banks located in agricultural communities and rural areas and towns of 10,000 or less are eligible. Grant amounts are dependent on the funding pool and the total number of applicants for that period.

In addition, the program will continue to develop initiatives in the areas of Access to Information and Technology, Education and Communications, and Research.

How to participate: Organizations are invited to apply for financial support from the program on an annual basis. Applicant food banks are asked to track their transportation costs during the year, and include receipts for eligible expenses, which include gas, vehicle rentals, and third party shipments, with their application form.

To provide funding for this program, or for more information, please call the Program Assistant , 1-877-535-0958 x227.

This program was originally founded as the Syngenta FoodShare Fund by Syngenta Canada, a founding and continuing sponsor.