Indigenous Food Hub 

The Indigenous Food Hub is a national, Indigenous-led initiative of the National Circle for Indigenous Agriculture and Food (NCIAF) designed to strengthen Indigenous participation across Canada's agriculture and food value chain. 

Across Canada, First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities, producers and entrepreneurs are growing, raising, harvesting, processing and creating food. These businesses contribute to local economies, create employment, strengthen food systems and bring Indigenous products, knowledge and innovation to Canada's food economy. 

Every business and community starts from a different place. The Food Hub meets you where you are and helps connect you with the funding, knowledge, expertise and market opportunities that can help you take the next step. 

Participation is driven by the priorities and goals of each business or community.  << Link to join the food hub>> 

Key Areas of Focus:

 

Business & Capacity Development: 

Every business begins from a different place. 

A community may be exploring whether an agriculture or food opportunity is feasible. An entrepreneur may be developing a first product. An established producer may be looking to increase production, strengthen operations or prepare for a new market. 

The Indigenous Food Hub supports communities and businesses as they identify what is needed to move an opportunity forward. 

Areas of support may include: 

• Business planning and feasibility support 

• Strategic and operational planning 

• Product and business development 

• Mentorship and advisory expertise 

• Market assessment and readiness 

• Processing and infrastructure planning 

• Connections to technical and industry expertise 

The NCIAF does not seek to duplicate the work of organizations already providing these services. Our role is to understand what a community or business is working toward and help connect them with the appropriate resources, expertise and organizations that can support the next step. 

Funding & Investment: 

Access to capital is an important part of establishing and growing agriculture and food businesses. 

The Indigenous Food Hub helps communities, producers and entrepreneurs identify and navigate potential sources of funding, financing and investment. 

Through NCIAF's growing relationships across Canada's agriculture and food sector, businesses may be connected with: 

• Government funding programs 

• Financing organizations 

• Grants and contribution programs 

• Investment opportunities 

• Industry and infrastructure partners 

• Resources that can help strengthen funding and investment readiness 

The goal is not simply to identify funding, but to help businesses understand the pathways available and build the relationships needed to move opportunities forward. 

Education & Knowledge Sharing: 

Building a food business often requires navigating unfamiliar systems, regulations and markets. 

The Indigenous Food Hub creates opportunities for Indigenous communities and businesses to access practical knowledge, industry expertise and shared learning across the food value chain. 

Education and knowledge-sharing opportunities may include: 

• Business and financial readiness 

• Food safety and regulatory requirements 

• Product development 

• Packaging and labelling 

• Processing and manufacturing 

• Distribution and logistics 

• Retail readiness 

• Procurement and buyer expectations 

• Marketing and product promotion 

The initiative also creates opportunities for peer-to-peer learning, mentorship and knowledge exchange between Indigenous producers, entrepreneurs, communities and industry experts. 

Market Development & Access: 

Indigenous food businesses are producing products and ingredients with the potential to reach consumers, buyers and markets across Canada. 

The Indigenous Food Hub works to strengthen pathways between Indigenous producers and businesses and the organizations that purchase, distribute, process, serve and sell food. 

Through relationships with retailers, distributors, food service organizations, processors, institutions, industry and government, the NCIAF works to identify and create opportunities for Indigenous businesses to participate in new markets. 

These opportunities may include: 

• Buyer and retailer introductions 

• Procurement opportunities 

• Food service and institutional markets 

• Processing and distribution relationships 

• Trade shows and industry events 

• Regional and national market opportunities 

• Indigenous product showcases 

Market development is guided by the readiness, capacity and goals of each participating business. 

Product Visibility & Promotion: 

Increasing awareness of Indigenous food products is another important part of strengthening Indigenous participation in Canada's food economy. 

Through the Indigenous Food Hub, the NCIAF is developing opportunities to showcase Indigenous products and businesses to consumers, retailers, buyers, distributors, industry organizations and other potential partners. 

This may include product showcases, retail initiatives, industry events, promotional campaigns, supplier directories and other opportunities that increase the visibility of Indigenous-made food and beverage products. 

As the network grows, the Food Hub will build a stronger picture of Indigenous food businesses and products across Canada helping retailers, distributors, food service organizations and other buyers know what is available and creating more opportunities for Indigenous products to reach the market 

Join the Food Hub 

Add your business to the growing national network of Indigenous food businesses and help make it easier for buyers and partners to find Indigenous products and suppliers.

 

Work With Us  

Have a business idea, challenge or opportunity you're ready to explore? Tell us what you're working on and where you could use support.