Manitoba Food Safety & Traceability Program (SCAP)

Insider Tip

This is one of the most accessible food-sector grants in Manitoba — simple 2-form application with 60:40 cost-share and a maximum of $40K. Apply the day the intake opens (April 23, 2026) or as soon as possible — first-come, first-served means early applicants secure funding that late applicants miss. Eligible expenses include both food safety (HACCP, preventive controls, Safe Food for Canadians Act compliance) and traceability (electronic lot tracking, RFID, GPS) activities. Having your project scoped and quotes in hand before the intake opens allows immediate submission. Contact 1-800-811-4411 to pre-screen your project before submitting.

Rejection Pitfalls 7

• Application submitted after funding is exhausted (before the July 16 deadline)
• Applicant type not in eligible list (e.g., retail grocery without processing function)
• Project started before April 1, 2026

Success Profile

Manitoba agri-food processor or distributor implementing or upgrading a food safety system (HACCP plan, preventive control program per the Safe Food for Canadians Act) or installing traceability technology (lot tracking software, scanning equipment). Has defined project scope, can contribute 40% of costs, and can complete all work by February 1, 2027.

Evaluation Criteria

Applications are reviewed in order of receipt (first-come, first-served). Assessed for: eligible applicant type, eligible expense categories, project completion timeline (April 1, 2026 – February 1, 2027), and completeness of application package. No competitive scoring — all complete and eligible applications receive funding until budget is exhausted.

Application Steps

Required Documents 6

Eligible Expenses 8

• Food safety equipment (coolers, thermometers, sanitation equipment, temperature monitoring systems)
• Traceability equipment (barcode scanners, RFID readers, lot tracking hardware)
• Food safety and traceability software systems
• Development and implementation of preventive food safety programs (HACCP plans, preventive control plans)
• Registration fees for food safety training events
• Educational materials related to food safety
• Consultant fees for food safety program development or traceability system setup
• Training and setup costs for new equipment or systems

Ineligible Expenses 6

• Expenses incurred before April 1, 2026
• Expenses incurred after February 1, 2027
• Ongoing operational costs (wages for existing staff, utilities, packaging)
• Equipment primarily for production efficiency without food safety / traceability function
• Real estate or building construction
• Vehicles and transportation equipment

Intake Periods

April 23, 2026 – July 16, 2026 (or until funding exhausted). This is an annual program under SCAP — future intakes expected in subsequent years.

Deadline Notes

Applications accepted until 11:59 PM on July 16, 2026, or until funding is fully allocated — whichever comes first. First-come, first-served starting April 23, 2026. Apply early; popular program budgets have been exhausted before the stated deadline in prior intakes. Project work must begin on or after April 1, 2026, and be completed by February 1, 2027.

Ineligible Organizations

• Retail grocery stores without processing function
• Restaurants and food service establishments
• Organizations outside Manitoba
• Applicants whose projects cannot be completed by February 1, 2027

Compatible Programs

Clawback Risk

Low Risk

Low clawback risk — reimbursement model means the government only pays for expenses already incurred and verified. Risk arises if audit finds ineligible expenses were claimed; in that case the government may seek recovery of that portion.