Food Product Development Assistance

Bringing a new food product to market often requires specialized expertise that small and medium-sized food businesses don’t always have in-house. For Prince Edward Island companies working on new recipes, processing methods, or production improvements, the Food Product Development Assistance program helps reduce the cost of that technical lift. Delivered by Innovation PEI, this program is designed to support food and beverage businesses as they move from early-stage development through testing and toward commercialization.

The program helps cover a portion of the costs associated with professional and technical support, with funding available of up to $50,000 per business. This can include working with food scientists, technical consultants, or specialized facilities to test new products, assess processing lines, refine packaging, or validate shelf life and food safety. It’s particularly useful for manufacturers and processors looking to improve existing products, develop prototypes, or scale production in a way that meets market and regulatory expectations. Support is non-repayable and intended to make innovation more accessible for businesses that are ready to invest in growth but want to manage risk.

Applications are typically reviewed as they’re received, and the program is currently accepting projects from PEI-based food businesses that meet certain requirements. For entrepreneurs and manufacturers exploring whether their product development plans are a good fit, taking a closer look at the program details can help clarify the next steps and potential funding available.