City launches $300K in pilot funding to support the local food system

As part of the City of Kingston’s recently approved Food Framework, pilot funding is now available for new and existing initiatives that directly support the local food system. This funding—a combination of $200K from the City’s operating budget and $100K in Fines for Food fees—is part of a larger strategy to grow an inclusive and sustainable food system that ensures all residents have equitable access to healthy, affordable and culturally relevant foods.

One of the key recommendations within the Food Framework was to provide funding to help agencies, businesses, food producers and community organizations make long-term changes.

Eligible projects will align with one of three funding streams:

1. Food access programs (e.g., direct food services or products to individuals facing food insecurity, collaborations between organizations to efficiently share resources, etc.)
2. Small capital and infrastructure enhancement (e.g., small-scale building improvements to enhance service delivery)
3. Innovative projects and pilot initiatives (e.g., new models for food access, urban and rural agriculture, technology-driven solutions, etc.)

“The funding streams are intended to provide opportunities for solutions to support food programming in Kingston,” says Benjamin Leslie, Community Development Coordinator.

Funds can help service providers expand existing programs or develop new initiatives. Priority will be given to collaborative initiatives that centre accessibility, increase service efficiency or address cultural needs within Kingston’s communities.

“This initiative provides a unique opportunity for multiple partners to collaborate and apply together for a pilot project,” adds Leslie. “It encourages partners to combine different strengths and resources to develop or grow meaningful, integrated programs that meet community needs.”

Interested applicants can review full descriptions and criteria for each funding stream on Get Involved Kingston. Applications are open until Tuesday, Sept. 30 at 4 p.m.

Background

In May 2025, City Council approved the City’s Food Framework (Report 25 – 120), a guiding document to help strengthen the local food system and align food initiatives in the region. Ten of Kingston’s 2023-2026 Strategic Priorities are connected to different areas of the food system.

The Food Framework is built around five interconnected pillars: food production, infrastructure and distribution, food access, education and literacy, and governance. It will be used to map out programs and actions that impact the food system, identify opportunities to empower and collaborate with partners, create a structure for monitoring food systems, provide recommendations to strengthen them and track progress toward resulting goals.

Council directed staff to implement the Food Framework funding strategy through an application process for a total of $300,000 in programming funds, available in 2025, and report back to Council in fall 2025 with the recommended funding recipients.