Agri-food grants: choosing between the PTA, PADAAR and PAS

Key takeaway: The right program depends first on who is applying. The PTA is aimed at processing companies, but it has been closed since August 2026. The PAS funds the development of healthier foods, and its streams 1 and 2 remain open until 2029. The PADAAR supports regional projects, mainly led by farms, groups and organizations, until February 15, 2027.

A deli that wants to cut the salt in its sausages and a regional round table preparing a buy-local campaign will not knock on the same door, even though both projects fall under agri-food.

MAPAQ manages several programs with similar acronyms, and mixing up the PTA, PADAAR and PAS is common. Choosing the wrong agri-food grant can cost weeks of work on an application that does not target your type of business, or that no longer accepts applications.

This comparison explains who each program is for and which one to favour based on your project.

Each agri-food grant targets different applicants

In brief: The type of organization applying often rules out one or two options right away.

The Food Processing Program (PTA) targets companies that process food in Quebec. It funds projects that improve a facility’s productivity, competitiveness or environmental footprint.

The Healthy Eating Program (PAS) focuses on the product itself. It aims to increase the supply of foods of good nutritional quality, meaning prepackaged foods whose sodium, sugar and saturated fat content is below 15% of the daily value.

The Program to Support the Development of Regional Agriculture and Agri-Food (PADAAR) supports projects that match the priorities of each MAPAQ regional office. Its measures mainly target farms, their groups and organizations such as regional county municipalities (MRCs) or round tables.

Comparing the three programs against your criteria

Criterion	PTA	PAS	PADAAR
Objective	Productivity, competitiveness and environmental footprint	Foods of better nutritional quality	Projects aligned with regional priorities
Main applicants	Processing companies registered in Quebec	Processors, central kitchens and groups	Farms, groups and organizations
Example projects	Diagnostics, automation, HACCP, GFSI	Diagnostic study, reformulation, new food product	Promotion of regional products, on-farm trials, next-generation farmers
Maximum assistance	50%, up to $75,000 or $150,000 depending on the stream	70% up to $100,000 or 60% up to $150,000	50% up to $50,000 or $10,000 depending on the measure
Status as of October 2026	Closed since August 2026	Streams 1 and 2 open until March 31, 2029	Open until February 15, 2027

Maximums apply per stream, per measure or per project, depending on each program’s rules.

The PTA for plant productivity and food safety

In brief: The PTA funds projects that transform how you produce, but you will have to wait for the next application period.

The 2026–2028 PTA has four streams: planning and skills development, labour productivity, quality and food safety management, and the competitiveness of slaughterhouses and cheese plants.

Most streams require the company to be registered in Quebec, to have at least 12 months of operations and to report revenue of no more than $200M. MAPAQ grants only one form of assistance per stream to the same applicant for the duration of the program.

According to the official PTA page, the envelope is exhausted: streams 1 to 3 have been closed since August 10, 2026, and stream 4 since August 14. A cheese plant that wants to implement a preventive control plan will therefore have to wait for a reopening.

To prepare a future application, MAPAQ’s financial eligibility simulator is the first tool to use, since a score of 1.29 or lower results in an automatic refusal.

The PAS for developing or reformulating a healthier food

In brief: The PAS is the most accessible program for processors right now, with continuous intake until 2029.

Stream 1 of the Healthy Eating Program funds a diagnostic study carried out by an external consultant, at 70% of eligible expenditures up to $100,000. Stream 2 supports the development of a food product or the improvement of its formulation, at 60% up to $150,000.

A bonus of up to 10% may be added for certain priorities, including sodium reduction in deli meats, breads and sauces, or sugar reduction in breakfast cereals. This bonus is not automatic, however. The product’s current label, including its nutrition facts table, must accompany a stream 2 application.

Applicants must be registered in Quebec, process the targeted foods there and market at least one food product there. Stream 3, intended for groups, research centres and organizations, runs through a call for projects until October 23, 2026, according to the official PAS page.

Before choosing a stream, a project assessment by an advisor helps confirm the nutritional thresholds you are targeting and the eligible expenditures.

The PADAAR for a collective project rooted in your region

In brief: The PADAAR funds smaller projects tied to regional priorities and often carried out collectively.

For 2026–2027, the PADAAR accepts projects on a continuous basis until February 15, 2027, or until funds are exhausted. MAPAQ recommends validating a project’s eligibility with your regional advisor before applying.

Measure 4021, Promotion of Regional Products, funds projects or events that aim to increase purchases of Quebec foods in the regions. According to the details of measure 4021, it is aimed at groups of farms and recognized organizations, at 50% of expenditures up to $50,000 per project.

Measure 4051, Innovation and Trials, supports on-farm trials of new practices or technologies, at 50% up to $10,000. Other measures support the next generation of farmers, demonstrations and membership in a farm machinery co-operative.

Which agri-food grant to choose based on your project

A few concrete cases help you decide quickly between the programs.

• Reducing sodium in a deli product: stream 2 of the PAS fits, and this priority may open access to a bonus.
• Validating a recipe’s potential before investing: stream 1 of the PAS funds an external consultant’s diagnostic study.
• Implementing a HACCP or GFSI system: stream 3 of the PTA matches this need, but you will have to wait for it to reopen.
• Automating a packaging line: stream 2 of the PTA targets this project; in the meantime, the C3i tax credit can reduce the cost of new equipment.
• Running a regional buy-local campaign: a recognized group or organization can apply under measure 4021 of the PADAAR.
• Testing a new practice on the farm: measure 4051 of the PADAAR is aimed at farms.

For broader equipment projects, the overview of manufacturing automation grants outlines other avenues.

Stacking rules and mistakes to avoid

In brief: A well-chosen program can still lead to a refusal if the application overlooks its administrative rules.

Under the PADAAR, only expenditures incurred from the filing of a complete application are eligible, and incomplete applications are not processed. For measure 4021, MAPAQ recommends applying at least 60 days before the activity.

Stacking is also regulated. When another department may fund the same project, total government assistance for the same purposes cannot exceed the highest rate among the programs involved.

Finally, review periods differ: 20 business days to contest a decision under the PTA, versus 30 days under the PAS and PADAAR.

The right agri-food grant for every project

The logic is simple to remember: the PTA for the plant, the PAS for the product and the PADAAR for the regional or collective project. The status of each agri-food grant changes quickly, however, and should be verified before you build an application.

To confirm the program best suited to your project and prepare a complete application, book a consultation with a grants advisor.

FAQ

Is the PADAAR an agri-food grant for processors?

Sometimes. The PADAAR recognizes agri-food processing companies with revenue below $5M, but each measure of this agri-food grant specifies its own eligible clientele. The promotion measure mainly targets groups of farms and recognized organizations, while the Innovation and Trials measure is aimed at farms. MAPAQ’s regional advisor confirms eligibility before you apply.

Does the Healthy Eating Program fund a new product?

Yes. Stream 2 of the PAS supports the development of a food product of good nutritional quality, meaning a prepackaged food whose sodium, sugar and saturated fat content is below 15% of the daily value. Assistance covers up to 60% of eligible expenditures, up to $150,000. Processing must take place in Quebec, where the company markets at least one food product.

Do I need an external consultant to apply to the PAS?

For stream 1, yes: the diagnostic study must be carried out by an external consultant, whose résumé and service offer accompany the application. Under stream 2, the project may rely on an external consultant or an in-house specialist, provided proof of expertise is supplied. Stream 3 also requires a consultant’s résumé and service offer.