How to Apply for Risk Management and Food Safety Funding in New Brunswick

How to Apply for Risk Management and Food Safety Funding in New Brunswick

Food safety risks, biosecurity gaps, and unexpected disruptions can put real pressure on farms and agri-food businesses. New Brunswick offers targeted funding to help producers address these risks and meet food safety standards. The Risk Management and Food Safety program offers repayable support. This helps reduce operational risks and strengthen food safety systems across the province.

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Understanding the Risk Management and Food Safety Program

The Risk Management and Food Safety (RMFS) program is managed by the New Brunswick Department of Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries. It supports agriculture and agri-food producers who want to prevent, prepare for, or respond to food safety and operational risks.

What the Funding Supports

The program has two main funding streams:

• Food Safety Assurance

  • Up to $50,000 per year (repayable)
  • Supports:
    • Recognized traceability systems
    • Biosecurity programs and measures
    • Food safety–related training
    • Putting food safety standards and systems in place

• Risk Management Response Planning

  • Up to $40,000 per year (repayable)
  • Supports:
    • Risk assessment and response planning
    • Wildlife damage mitigation (like fencing and repellent devices)
    • Training identified in approved response plans

This is repayable funding. Approved applicants must pay the money back according to program terms. It is not a non-repayable grant.

Who Is Eligible?

Eligibility is set out in the official guidelines. In general, you must be:

• An agriculture or agri-food producer
• A business operating in New Brunswick
• Able to show a clear risk or food safety need related to your operation

Final eligibility is confirmed by the program administrator. Always review the official guidelines before you apply.

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Who Should Apply?

This funding is for:

• Farms and producers facing food safety or operational risks
• Agri-food businesses looking to improve traceability or biosecurity
• Operations that need to plan for wildlife damage or other disruptions

If you have a clear risk or food safety gap, and you operate in New Brunswick, you may qualify. Even if you are unsure, GrantHub’s eligibility matcher can help you check if this program fits your business.

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How to Apply for Risk Management and Food Safety Funding

Applying for RMFS funding takes careful planning. Follow these steps:

Step 1: Identify Your Risk or Food Safety Gap

Start by clearly describing the problem you want to solve. Examples include:

• Gaps in traceability or record-keeping
• Biosecurity risks on the farm
• Damage from wildlife
• No formal risk response plan

Your project must connect directly to risk prevention, preparedness, or food safety.

Step 2: Build a Clear Project Plan

Strong applications include:

• A short project description
• The specific risks you are addressing
• How the project will improve food safety or risk management
• A timeline and budget that match eligible costs

Training costs must be tied to an approved response plan.

Step 3: Confirm Eligible Expenses

Check that your costs fit program rules. Eligible expenses can include:

• Equipment or systems for traceability
• Materials and infrastructure for biosecurity
• Fencing or repellent devices for wildlife mitigation
• Training linked to food safety or response planning

Expenses outside these areas may be rejected.

Step 4: Submit Your Application

The program is currently open, but deadlines can change. Applications are reviewed by the department, and they may ask for more information.

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Program Deadlines and Application Tips

• Check the latest intake dates: The program’s intake periods can change, so always check the official website before applying.
• Prepare your documents early: Collect quotes, training plans, and risk assessments in advance.
• Be clear and specific: General statements or vague plans are less likely to be approved.
• Plan for repayment: Since this is repayable funding, make sure your business can handle the repayment terms.

GrantHub keeps track of program openings and deadlines to help you stay up to date with the latest funding opportunities.

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Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Applying without a defined risk
  Vague goals lower your approval chances. Be clear about the risk or food safety issue.

• Including ineligible costs
  General operating costs or unrelated equipment are usually not accepted.

• Ignoring repayable terms
  You must repay this funding. Plan your cash flow.

• Missing supporting details
  Incomplete budgets or unclear timelines can delay or stop your approval.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How much funding can I receive?
You can get up to $50,000 per year for food safety assurance and up to $40,000 per year for risk management response planning. This funding must be repaid.

Q: Is this program only for farms?
It mainly supports agriculture and agri-food producers. Your eligibility depends on your operation and project.

Q: Are wildlife control measures eligible?
Yes. Fencing and other wildlife damage controls are eligible under risk management planning.

Q: Can I use the funding for training?
Yes, if the training is linked to food safety or an approved risk response plan.

Q: Is there a fixed application deadline?
The program is open now, but intake periods can change. Always check current deadlines before applying.

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Next Steps

Risk management and food safety funding in New Brunswick can help you prevent costly problems and increase your business’s resilience. GrantHub tracks hundreds of active grant and repayable funding programs across Canada — including agriculture and agri-food supports — to help you find the right fit for your business.

See also:

• How to Use Farm Skills Development Grants to Improve Farm Management in New Brunswick
• Is Your Agriculture or Agri-Food Project a Strategic Priority?