Support for hunting, harvesting and community-led food programs

On this page

• What the Harvesters Support Grant and Community Food Programs Fund are
• How these programs work
• Who is eligible
• Recipient organizations
• Funding per organization

What the Harvesters Support Grant and Community Food Programs Fund are

Developed in collaboration with Indigenous and northern partners, the Harvesters Support Grant and Community Food Programs Fund reflect Northerners' food priorities while supporting food sovereignty in northern communities.

The Harvesters Support Grant helps increase access to country foods by funding traditional hunting, harvesting, and food-sharing activities in communities. It also upholds the inherent hunting and harvesting rights of Indigenous Peoples in Canada.

The Community Food Programs Fund, introduced in 2022, is a key component of the Harvesters Support Grant. Co-developed with Indigenous partners, this fund supports a wide range of community food-sharing initiatives, including school meal programs, elders' meal programs, group ordering, and activities that use locally grown, market, and country foods. By broadening the scope of the grant, the fund strengthens community-driven efforts to improve local food security through culturally appropriate, locally led solutions.

Through flexible funding opportunities delivered by Indigenous organizations, the Harvesters Support Grant and Community Food Programs Fund:

• create less reliance on store bought food
• encourage the restoration of harvesting culture and practices
• supports local food production and community food sharing

How these programs work

Recipient organizations receive funding to directly support eligible communities in their region. They may create programs or other initiatives that respond to the needs of the communities they represent. Because each community has unique food security priorities, the Harvesters Support Grant and Community Food Programs Fund are designed to empower Indigenous governments and organizations to decide how best to support their communities.

The Harvesters Support Grant and Community Food Programs Fund support a wide range of hunting, harvesting and food sharing activities or initiatives, such as:

• harvesting equipment, including maintenance and storage of equipment
• maintenance of harvesting sites
• transportation and fuel expenses
• training, certification and education
• safety and rescue equipment
• shelter and outdoor clothing
• food-related minor infrastructure, facilities, equipment and related maintenance
• gardening and animal husbandry
• food centres, hubs and community kitchens
• local food programs, such as school food, Elders meals and local food banks
• salaries and services required for the coordination of ordering, transport, or distribution of market foods within a community
• food distribution networks within and outside of communities
• buying clubs and revolving loan funds for bulk food purchasing
• traditional decision making structures and community coordination
• cultural ceremony and celebration
• research and innovation

Who is eligible

To be eligible for the Harvesters Support Grant and the Community Food Programs Fund, an Indigenous organization representing a community must:

• qualify for the NNC subsidy
• be reliant on air transportation for more than 8 months each year

Thirteen communities that are eligible for the NNC subsidy are not reliant on air transportation for more than eight months of the year. As a result, they do not qualify for the Harvesters Support Grant. These communities are located on the Quebec North Shore and in the Northwest Territories:

• Pakuashipi
• La Tabatière
• Mutton Bay
• Tête-à-la-Baleine
• Harrington Harbour
• Chevery
• La Romaine
• Port Menier
• Tsiigehtchic
• Fort McPherson
• Inuvik
• Tuktoyaktuk
• Fort Simpson

Recipient organizations

Virtual chats

Funding per organization

There are 2 funding streams available to recipient organizations.

Stream 1: Land claim organization and self-government

For communities with settled land claims, grant funding is provided to the land claim or self-government organizations. These organizations are responsible for managing and allocating the funds, and are accountable to their citizens for their use.

Stream 2: Communities

For communities without a settled land claim, calls for proposals are issued regularly to Indigenous organizations that represent eligible communities. These proposals are developed in partnership with the communities and outline their harvesting needs and objectives.

Proposals are reviewed and decided upon by a Women’s Council, reflecting and respecting traditional decision-making systems. The Council is made up of both Indigenous and non-Indigenous members who bring extensive knowledge of northern issues and harvesting traditions.

The amounts received by these recipient organizations reflect the current budget for the Harvesters Support Grant and the Community Foods Program fund and are set to expire on March 31, 2027.

Contact information

If you live in an eligible community, contact your local community leadership.

• If your community does not have a settled land claim or self-government agreement, contact your local band council or other leadership office
• If your community has a settled land claim or self-government agreement, you can contact hunters and trappers organizations, land claim organizations or regional governments directly

For other questions about the Harvesters Support Grant and Community Food Programs Fund, email nutritionnordcanada-nutritionnorthcanada@rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca