New Food Safety Pilot Program to Help Local Producers Expand
A two-year pilot program for Nova Scotia food and beverage producers will help them meet food safety requirements, allowing more of their products to get to local and global markets. (Province of Nova Scotia / File)
The Province is investing in a new Local Supplier Food Safety Support Pilot Program to help food producers meet food safety requirements they need to get more of their products to local and global markets.
The departments of Growth and Development and Agriculture have partnered with Perennia Food and Agriculture Corp. on the two-year pilot program for Nova Scotia food and beverage producers. The program will help with costs related to food safety standards such as training, assessment, program development, audit fees and facility upgrades.
The support will help more local producers meet provincial and federal food safety standards that can be a barrier to growing their business.
“We are Nova Scotia Loyal, and now more than ever, we need to find solutions to make it easier for our local producers to meet safety requirements to grow their business to larger retailers and distributors locally, nationally and internationally,” said Growth and Development Minister Colton LeBlanc. “Local producers asked us for help to make sure they are meeting all food safety requirements for larger retailers and distributors. Our government is stepping up with these supports so local producers can increase the demand and availability for their incredible local products while also removing barriers to interprovincial trade.”
The Local Supplier Food Safety Support Pilot Program will help food and beverage producers successfully achieve and maintain food safety requirements for retailers, food service companies and institutions or adjust their food safety program to meet emerging food safety requirements or new markets.
The program will cover 100 per cent of eligible training costs, and 70 per cent of other eligible food safety costs, up to $20,000 per company.
Producers can apply for the program at: https://www.perennia.ca/supplierfoodsafety/
Quotes:
“We’re proud to support Nova Scotia’s local producers. Right now, it’s more important than ever to find ways to help them stay strong in local markets and grow their businesses – both here at home and beyond. This program is a great example of how we can stand behind them – by making it easier to share their high-quality, safe food products with more Nova Scotia consumers.”
— Greg Morrow, Minister of Agriculture
“Food safety is something that consumers often don’t see but is vital not only for the health of Nova Scotians, but for the growth of our food and beverage businesses. Having food safety plans and certifications opens new markets for our high-quality homegrown products and this program will be key to getting even more of them on the shelves.”
— Lynne Godlien, CEO, Perennia
“As a proud fourth-generation Acadian small business, our team found the growing complexities of food safety certifications to be a significant challenge. Thanks to the support from NS Loyal, we’ve gained both the confidence and the tools to advance our business. We're now looking to the future with optimism, making strategic investments to ensure we continue delivering the safest, highest-quality food products to our loyal customers. This growth also positions us to expand into new markets – both within Nova Scotia and beyond – while reinforcing our commitment to creating employment opportunities right here in rural Nova Scotia.”
— Dan d’Eon, co-owner, D’Eon’s Bakery Limited (West Pubnico)
Quick Facts:
- Perennia Food and Agriculture Corp. is a provincial development agency with a mission to support growth, transformation and economic development in Nova Scotia’s agriculture, seafood and food and beverage sectors
- Perennia will administer the Local Supplier Food Safety Support Pilot Program on behalf of the Province at a total estimated cost of $1.5 million over two years
- in 2019, federal Safe Food for Canadians Regulations came into force to strengthen food safety rules for food businesses, including licensing, preventive controls and traceability
Additional Resources:
News release – Province Makes It Easier to Identify More Locally Produced Products: https://news.novascotia.ca/en/2025/02/27/province-makes-it-easier-identify-more-locally-produced-products
News release – Free Trade Bill Leads Canada; Session Lays Groundwork for a Stronger, More Resilient Nova Scotia: https://news.novascotia.ca/en/2025/03/26/free-trade-bill-leads-canada-session-lays-groundwork-stronger-more-resilient-nova