NASFT Membership

Member FAQs

FAQs on Exhibiting NASFT Membership

FAQs on the NASFT Member Candidate Program

Exhibiting Member F.A.Q.

1. How do you define specialty food for the purposes of membership?

Specialty Food Products as used herein shall mean: foods and beverages that exemplify quality, innovation, and style in their category.  Their specialty nature derives from some or all of the following characteristics: their originality, authenticity, ethnic or cultural origin, specific processing, ingredients, limited supply, distinctive use, extraordinary packaging or specific channel of distribution or sales.  By virtue of their differentiation in their categories, such products maintain a high perceived value and often command a premium price.

2. Who can join the NASFT as an Exhibiting Member?

• Manufacturers (Domestic and Foreign)
• Importers
• Distributors
• Brokers
• Agents
• Trade Organizations
• Local and State Agencies
• Accessory Suppliers
• Package and Graphic Designers
• Publications
• Consultants
• Custom Brokers
• Research Houses

3. Do I have to be a member to exhibit at the Fancy Food Shows?

Yes, all companies headquartered in the United States must become NASFT members before they can exhibit.  Companies located outside of the United States have the option to exhibit in the International Section without becoming a member.

3. What are the requirements for an Exhibiting Membership in the NASFT?

• All applicants must be have been actively selling their products for a year or longer and
• Provide customer references

4. How do I apply for membership?Please send the following to apply for membership:

1. Completed Exhibiting Membership application with customer references
2. Non-refundable $100 application fee
3. Declarations page of the Commercial General Liability (CGL) insurance policy
4. Descriptions of company and products
5. In addition, most applicants must submit product samples.  The NASFT Admissions Committee reviews all products to make sure they qualify as specialty foods. If the products consist of large display units, manufacturing equipment, or if the company markets services, the applicant may submit literature, photos or other descriptive material representing such products or services.
6. Membership dues based on annual sales volume.  Please see below for prices and exceptions.

Exceptions:

• Non-Exhibiting Broker Dues $100
• Trade/Government Organization (U.S. and foreign) Dues $200

4. What are the benefits of membership?

• All Exhibiting members (except Non-Exhibiting Brokers) are allowed to exhibit at all Fancy Food Shows, Consumer Shows and Traveling Shows
• Access to Retailer, Broker, Distributor and Importer Networking lists
• Opportunity to participate in NASFT Regional Share Groups across the country
• Free subscription to Specialty Food Magazine
• Daily newsletter Specialty Food News
• Access to the NASFT's legal counsel in Washington, D.C.
• Placement of news releases in Specialty Food News and the Virtual Press Office
• Advertising discounts of 20% in Specialty Food Magazine, Specialty Food News,  and online at www.specialtyfood.com
• Opportunity to compete in our Sofi Awards Competition
• 40% discount on Educational programs including seminars, webinars and publications
• Free industry reports including the State of the Specialty Food Industry

5. How long does the membership admissions process take?

You will be notified within 5-10 business days of the receipt of your completed application, which must include product samples. If your company meets the Admissions Committee criteria as authorized by the Board of Directors under the NASFT's By-laws, your company will be granted a Conditional Acceptance. What this mean is that your company will have an opportunity to exhibit at the NASFT Fancy Food Show(s) of your choice as well as take advantage of all NASFT member programs and services.

7. Where to I send my completed application?

Please send you application to:

New Member Admissions
NASFT
136 Madison Avenue, 12th Floor
New York, NY 10016

Or email it to admissions@nasft.org

8. Who do I contact if I have questions?

Please contact the Membership Department at 212-482-6440 extension 41 or email membership@nasft.org

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Member Candidate FAQs

A Program for Young and Emerging Companies

1. I've been in business for less than a year and don't yet qualify for NASFT Exhibiting Membership. Is there a program for a manufacturer like me?

The Member Candidate program has been created for small companies just like you.

2. I’ve been in business for more than one year but have less than 5 retail accounts. Do I qualify for the Member Candidate program?

No matter how long you’ve been in business, if you don’t meet the qualification of having 5 or more retail accounts normally asked when applying for full NASFT Membership, you qualify for the Member Candidate program.

3. What types of retail establishments qualify as a retail account?

Retail accounts can include: farmer’s markets, small specialty food stores, large supermarket chains, catering or gift basket businesses, wholesale accounts.

4. Do I have to submit actual samples?

The Member Candidate Admissions Committee will need to see, sample and evaluate a your products. You will receive the feedback cards from the Admissions Committee as your products are evaluated for acceptance into the program.

5. Do I have to have a finished product with a label in order to apply for Member Candidate?

To apply for membership as a Member Candidate, you must have a finished product for resale meeting labeling criteria (company name, ingredients and origin).

6. Do I need insurance to become a Member Candidate?

You are required to submit proof of General Liability Insurance (in particular, Product Liability Coverage). Applicants must include, with the Member Candidate application, a copy of the declarations page of the Company’s Commercial General Liability (CGL) Insurance Policy with the NASFT as an additional insured under the same policy.

7. Once I become a Member Candidate, can I participate in the sofi™ Awards?

Not yet. You will have this added benefit once you become a full NASFT Member. But as a Member Candidate you can participate in a tabletop or special program at a Fancy Food Show,  attend local Share Groups and use your member discount to enroll in educational programs and webinars.

8. Who can I contact to find out more?

Please contact Erika Sipos at 646.878.0140 or email her to learn more about the Member Candidate program.

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