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By rdnewsNOW staff

Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership

New program to invest in province’s fresh food future

Dec 11, 2025 | 1:40 PM

The Alberta government says a new program funded by the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership will accelerate expansion in the province’s greenhouses and vertical farms.

The government says Albertans want to keep their hard-earned money in the province and support producers by choosing locally grown, high-quality produce. Officials say the new three-year, $10-milllion Growing Greenhouses program aims to stimulate industry growth and provide fresh fruit and vegetables to Albertans throughout the year.

“Everything our ministry does is about ensuring Albertans have secure access to safe, high-quality food,” says RJ Sigurdson, Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation. “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.”

“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,” adds 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.”

Government officials say the Growing Greenhouses program supports the controlled environment agriculture sector with new construction or expansion improvements to existing greenhouses and vertical farms that produce food at a commercial scale. Officials say it also aligns with Alberta’s Buy Local initiative launched this year as consumers will be able to purchase more local produce all year-round.

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According to the province, the program was created in alignment with the needs identified by the greenhouse sector, with a goal to reduce seasonal import reliance entering fall, which increases fruit and vegetable prices.

“This program is a game-changer for Alberta’s greenhouse sector,” exclaims Michiel Verheul, president, 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.”

“We are very grateful to the Governments of Canada and Alberta for this investment in our sector and for working collaboratively with us,” continues Verheul.

Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP)

Sustainable CAP is described as a five-year, $3.5-billion investment by federal, provincial and territorial governments to strengthen competitiveness, innovation and resiliency in Canada’s agriculture, agri-food and agri-based products sector. This is said to include $1 billion in federal programs and activities and $2.5 billion that is cost-shared 60 per cent federally and 40 per cent provincially/territorially for programs that are designed and delivered by provinces and territories.

Alberta government quick facts

• Alberta’s greenhouse sector ranks fourth in Canada:
• 195 greenhouses produce $145 million in produce and 60 per cent of them operate year-round.
• Greenhouse food production is growing by 6.2 per cent annually.
• Alberta imports $349 million in fresh produce annually.
• The program supports sector growth by investing in renewable and efficient energy systems, advanced lighting systems, energy-saving construction, and automation and robotics systems.