Staff at Toronto Metropolitan University's Urban Farm tend to their rooftop crops on Aug. 2, 2023. Photo by Arlene Throness.
The Nourish Fund
The Nourish Fund provides accessible, flexible financing for urban farms and food businesses, prioritizing racialized and equity-deserving entrepreneurs. Nourish supports enterprises that grow and process food in city spaces—especially those led by African Canadian, Indigenous, and newcomer communities—by addressing long-standing barriers to capital. This new initiative is building a more equitable urban food economy, starting with a pilot in Scarborough and surrounding areas.
The Problem
Urban agriculture has enormous potential to boost local economies, improve food access, and support climate resilience. But despite this, urban food producers face systemic barriers to financing.
Farms and food businesses operating in urban environments are often located on public or institutional land, or led by community organizations—making them ineligible or overlooked by traditional lenders. Racial bias, land tenure issues, and startup stigma further compound access to capital, especially for racialized entrepreneurs.
Our Solution
Nourish Fund offers tailored microfinance solutions for urban growers and processors, with flexible terms that reflect the realities of this emerging sector.
By centering equity in financing and program design, Nourish seeks to shift the narrative around who gets to lead in food production—and who benefits. Through this pilot, we aim to nourish both community and opportunity.
Mission
To provide equity-deserving urban farmers and food entrepreneurs with accessible, values-aligned financial tools that support local food systems, environmental stewardship, and economic self-determination.
Vision
A future where food sovereignty thrives in every urban community — where equity-deserving farmers have the resources, power, and freedom to nourish themselves, their communities, and the land.
Apply Today
Are you an urban farmer, food processor, or social enterprise working to build a more just and sustainable food system? The Nourish Fund offers tailored financing designed to meet the needs of equity-deserving entrepreneurs.
We prioritize applications from racialized farmers and food businesses based in Scarborough and surrounding urban areas. Whether you're growing vegetables in raised beds, crafting food products in a community kitchen, or running a social enterprise that nourishes your neighbourhood — we want to hear from you.
Who is eligible to apply?
We welcome applications from urban food and farm enterprises that:
Are based in or serve Scarborough or surrounding areas
Are at least two years into their business journey
Are led by individuals or organizations from equity-deserving communities
Operate with a mission of environmental sustainability, food justice, or local economic development
Let’s grow together.
Barbacoa Boyz, Fair Finance Fund Loan Client
Invest In Tomorrow, Today
Join us in transforming how food and finance intersect in our cities. When you invest in the Nourish Fund, you’re directly supporting urban farmers and food entrepreneurs who are growing community resilience, food security, and environmental sustainability.
Your investment fuels grassroots food systems led by racialized and equity-deserving communities. It’s more than capital — it’s a commitment to justice, sovereignty, and regeneration.
Why invest?
Be part of a bold new initiative fostering local, sustainable food systems
Support racial equity in agriculture and food entrepreneurship
Align your money with your values through social finance
Earn a return while driving real-world impact
Your investment can grow more than food. It can grow futures.
Questions?
If you are interested in potential partnerships, investment, or in learning more about the Nourish Fund loan options? You can book a quick 30-minute meeting with Nourish Fund Coordinator, Michelle Chin-Dawe by clicking here or by completing the contact form.
Stay informed on the latest news about the Nourish Fund by signing up for the Fair Finance Fund newsletter.
About Inclusive Prosperity
Beginning as a partnership between the Fair Finance Fund, Social Economy through Social Inclusion (SETSI), and the Learning Enrichment Foundation (LEF), Inclusive Prosperty is today an independent organisation under the umbrella of the Fair Finance Fund.
By assessing and redressing biases in governance, operations, and lending practices of conventional institutions, Inclusive Prosperity works to challenge and dismantle financing barriers for equity-deserving farmers and food entrepreneurs. Together, we believe we can grow an equitable and inclusive food and farming future.