Apply for funding to offer food or cooking projects

The Food Literacy Grant builds on existing community-driven food literacy initiatives. It also includes new and innovative food programs.

Food literacy grants help increase community capacity.

These programs help to:

  • recognize strengths;
  • develop new skills;
  • build community;
  • connect people: and
  • improve food knowledge.

How do participants benefit?

People who take part in these programs gain confidence in their cooking skills. This leads to greater personal capacity and resilience. The programs:

  • promote social and mental wellbeing;
  • improve food literacy; and
  • provide learning opportunities.

What will participants learn?

People will learn about food and nutrition and gain cooking skills. They'll also learn about grocery shopping and budgeting.

The Food Literacy Grant

Kids in the Kitchen

Kids in the Kitchen is a cooking and nutrition education program for children. It focuses on learning about and prepare food. 

We Can Cook!

We Can Cook! is a community-based cooking program. In this program, people meet in small groups to prepare meals together.

Other programs

Other initiatives may support food literacy including:

  • gardening;
  • grocery shopping;
  • traditional harvesting;
  • traditional preparation; and
  • supportive food environments.

Contact us to discuss your project.

Who's eligible to apply?

  • Registered organizations in good standing under the Societies Act
  • Yukon-based not-for-profit corporations incorporated under the federal Not-for-Profit Corporations Act
  • Charitable organizations
  • Canadian citizens or permanent residents who have lived in the Yukon for at least 3 months
  • Schools and early learning programs
  • First Nations governments
  • Municipal governments

Eligible expenses

  • Food 
  • Facilitator wages for teaching sessions
  • Honorarium (for example, Elders or youth)
  • Kitchen equipment and supplies
  • FOODSAFE training fees
  • Facility rental
  • Printing and advertising

Ineligible expenses

The funding does not cover overhead or day-to-day operating costs. An example of these kinds of expenses would be rent or utilities for your organization.

How much money could you apply for?

You can apply for between $500 and $5,000.

For an application to be eligible it must include a detailed budget no higher than $5,000.

Application deadlines

There are 2 rounds of intakes each year:

  • April 1
  • September 15 

If dates fall on a weekend or holiday, the deadline moves to 4:30 pm on the next business day. We will not accept late applications.

If you need support to meet an application deadline, contact us at [email protected].

How to submit your application

  1. Contact the Health Promotion Unit to find out if your project or event is eligible. Email [email protected] or phone 867-456-6160, toll free in the Yukon 1-800-661-0408, extension 6160.
  2. Complete the application.
  3. Submit your application before the deadline.
    In person: 305 Jarvis Street, 2nd floor, in Whitehorse. Our office is open Monday through Friday, from 9 am to 12:30 pm
    Email: [email protected]
    Fax: 867-456-6502​
    Mail:
    Government of Yukon
    Health Promotion Unit (H-305)
    Box 2703
    Whitehorse, Yukon Y1A 2C6

Facilitators must attend a day-long training session, in-person or via Zoom. Contact us to find out when we're offering training.

Successful applicants will receive an acceptance letter and are required to submit an invoice before funding can be processed. The details and requirements of the invoice will be provided in your acceptance letter. 

Reporting

By March 31, you need to submit by email a final report that includes an expense report. Download the facilitator final report.

We encourage you to include photos in your report. If you attach photos, send us signed photo release forms. Download the photo release form.

Project ideas and examples

  • A community-based kids cooking club at a local recreation centre.
  • An adult monthly meal preparation program. Participants can learn different recipes or cooking skills and prepare food to share with others or their family.
  • A cooking program for students in the Yukon that's offered as a course in school.

Recipients 2023–24

  • Boys and Girls Club Haines Junction
  • Boys and Girls Club Whitehorse
  • Denakar Zho Klondike Institute of Art & Culture
  • Downtown Days
  • Elijah Smith Elementary School
  • Johnson Elementary School
  • Mendenhall Community Association
  • Northern Lights School of Dance
  • Signpost Seniors
  • St. Elias Community School
  • Village of Carmacks
  • Whitehorse Food Bank
  • Yukon Anti-Poverty Coalition
  • Yukon Aboriginal Women's Council

Recipients 2022–23

  • Yukon Anti-Poverty Coalition
  • Association franco-yukonnaise
  • Yukon Energy Food Security Network
  • Garderie du Petit Cheval Blanc
  • Elder Active Recreation Association
  • Signpost Seniors Association
  • Help and Hope for Families Society
  • White River First Nation

Recipients 2020–21

  • Romp N Run Play Group
  • Teslin School
  • Watson Lake Food Bank
  • Yukon Anti-Poverty Coalition
  • Elijah Smith Elementary School
  • Victoria Faulkner
  • Project Backpack
  • Mendenhall Community Association