Alberta (Rural Roots Canada) – A new $10-million program funded through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP) will support the growth of Alberta’s greenhouse and vertical farming industries.
The Growing Greenhouses program is a three-year initiative designed to increase local fruit and vegetable production, reduce reliance on imported produce, and improve energy efficiency.
“Everything our ministry does is about ensuring Albertans have secure access to safe, high-quality food,” said RJ Sigurdson, Alberta’s Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation, in a statement. “We are continually working to build resilience and sustainability into our food production systems, increase opportunities for producers and processors, create jobs and feed Albertans. This new program will fund technologies that increase food production and improve energy efficiency.”
The program will fund the construction of new facilities and upgrades to existing operations at a commercial scale. It aligns with Alberta’s Buy Local initiative, launched earlier this year, which encourages consumers to purchase locally grown produce year-round.
“Through this investment, we’re supporting Alberta’s growers and ensuring Canadians have access to fresh, locally-grown fruits and vegetables on grocery shelves year-round,” said Heath MacDonald, federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food. “This program strengthens local communities, drives innovation, and creates new opportunities for agricultural entrepreneurs, reinforcing Canada’s food system and economy.”
Read more: Funding Announced to Help New B.C. Farmers Grow Their Operations
The initiative responds to challenges identified by the greenhouse industry, including dependence on imported produce during the fall and winter months when domestic production is limited.
“This program is a game-changer for Alberta’s greenhouse sector,” added Michiel Verheul, president of the Alberta Greenhouse Growers Association. “By investing in expansion and innovation, we can grow more fresh produce year-round, reduce reliance on imports, and strengthen food security for Albertans. Our growers are ready to meet the demand with sustainable, locally grown vegetables and fruits, and this support ensures we can do so while creating new jobs and opportunities in communities across the province.”
Alberta’s greenhouse sector ranks fourth in Canada, with 195 greenhouses producing $145 million in fruits and vegetables annually. About 60% of those facilities operate year-round. The sector continues to expand, growing by 6.2% annually, while Alberta imports roughly $349 million in fresh produce every year.
The Growing Greenhouses program will also invest in renewable and efficient energy systems, advanced lighting technologies, energy-saving construction methods, and automation and robotics.
Sustainable CAP is a five-year, $3.5-billion federal-provincial-territorial investment that supports competitiveness, innovation, and resiliency across Canada’s agriculture and agri-food sectors. It includes $1 billion in federal programs and $2.5 billion in cost-shared funding, with 60 per cent provided by the federal government and 40 per cent by provinces and territories.
