The Nourish Fund
Dedicated to providing loans and mentorship services to urban farmers and food entrepreneurs in Scarborough and the surrounding areas. We provide accessible, flexible financing for racialized and equity-deserving urban farm and food businesses, building equitable urban food economies, local food systems, community wealth, and environmental stewardship.
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 and where equity-deserving farmers have the resources, power, and freedom to nourish themselves, their communities, and the land.
Apply
Nourish Fund currently offers three loan products for growers and producers of varying enterprise sizes and business development stages, including standard, micro-loans, and loans designed for non-profit initiatives operating in Scarborough’s food and farm communities.
By centering equity, the Nourish Fund seeks to shift the narrative around who gets to lead in food production—and who benefits. Through the Fund, we aim to nourish both community and opportunity.
Our Loan Products
Standard Loans
$10,000 - $100,000
5-year term
7.5% Interest Rate
For incorporated, sole proprietorship, corporation, co-op or non-profit food or farm enterprise within and/or serving the Scarborough community.
Micro-Loans
$1,000 - $5,000
1-Year Term
Variable Interest
Accessible financing for start-up and small-scale food producers and processors within and/or serving the Scarborough community.
Non-Profit Loans
$25,000 - $50,000
Up to 2-Year Terms
0% Interest
For Scarborough-based non-profit organizations working in sustainable food systems and achieving tangible community benefits.
Standard Loans
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Loans ranging from $10,000 to $100,000 for a 5-year term
10 hours of expert mentorship and business assistance
7.5% fixed interest rate with no hidden fees
Grace period of up to 3 months
No collateral requirements up to $50,000
Ask us about Shariah-compliance
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We prioritize applications from equity-deserving farmers and food businesses based in Scarborough and surrounding urban areas. We welcome applications from urban food and farm enterprises who:
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, and/or local economic development
Micro-Loans
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Loans ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 for a 1-year term
Variable interest rate determined based on business type
Grace period of up to 1 month
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Market Gardener + Local Food Processors Micro-Loans offer accessible financing for small-scale food producers and processors to strengthen local food systems. While we welcome applicants from across the GTA, we give priority to those from Scarborough or whose work impacts the Scarborough community and are:
Market gardeners leasing/using land managed by a non-profit organization (must apply jointly with the non-profit)
or
Registered businesses operating as a sole proprietor.
Non-Profit Loans
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Loans ranging from $25,000 to $50,000 for up to a 2-year term
Fully forgiven after 12-months dependent on proof of community impact
0% interest rate
No collateral requirements
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These loans are available exclusively to qualified Scarborough-based non-profit organizations working in sustainable food systems. These impact-focused loans may be partially or fully forgiven based on achieving predetermined community benefit metrics (such as pounds of produce grown, jobs created, and food donated to food banks). The process works like a regular loan application—you receive the capital, use it for food and growing activities, and track your impact. After 12 months, once we review your impact metrics, the loan is forgiven.
Eligible applicants:
Must be a registered non-profit organization
Must be based in or primarily operating within Scarborough
Must have existing or planned food-related programming (e.g., community garden, soup kitchen, food bank)
Must demonstrate clear community benefit and alignment with food security goals
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We ask that interested applicants get in touch with Michelle Chin-Dawe, Nourish Fund Coordinator, for an initial consultation.
FAQ
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The Nourish Fund welcomes applications from all equity-deserving urban farmers and food entrepreneurs in Scarborough and organizations that predominantly serve equity-deserving communities in these areas. We have specifically designed our funding process to address historical barriers and create more inclusive access to financing. Our approach emphasizes character-based lending, provides comprehensive support throughout the application process, and recognizes diverse forms of experience and expertise.
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Equity-deserving communities are groups that have historically faced and continue to face barriers to equal access in society, including in financial services. This includes, but is not limited to, Indigenous peoples, racialized persons, persons with disabilities, women, 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals, newcomers, and other communities who have experienced systemic discrimination.
Eligible applicants:
Must be a registered non-profit organization
Must be based in or primarily operating within Scarborough
Must have existing or planned food-related programming (e.g., community garden, soup kitchen, food bank)
Must demonstrate clear community benefit and alignment with food security goals
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If you’re looking for a loan that exceeds $100,000, please contact us before applying. We can work with you to find a co-financing option that is suited to your business.
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Loans below $50,000 do not require collateral, unless specifically determined as high-risk due to business circumstances.
Loans between $50,000 - $100,000 are asked to provide collateral to ensure loan security. Exact requirements will be assessed by the Loan Review Committee.
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Available exclusively for Scarborough-based food and farm non-profit organizations, a forgivable loan is designed to be fully forgiven after an organization meets agreed-upon impact metrics. In our case, metrics can include pounds of produce grown, jobs created, and food donated to food banks, etc. While we don't administer traditional grants, we structure this as a forgivable loan to ensure the capital benefits the Scarborough community. The process works like a regular loan application—you receive the capital, use it for food and growing activities, and track your impact. After 12 months, once we review your impact metrics, the loan is forgiven.
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.
Get in touch.
If you’re considering applying for a loan once the project is launched or wish to discuss investment opportunities, please contact Michelle Chin-Dawe, Nourish Fund Coordinator.
