Business Categories & Qualifications

Your company is a food retail operation. This includes retail stores and online retailers. Your retail operation must sell more than one manufacturer's product line to an end consumer.

If you ONLY SELL ONE MANUFACTURER'S PRODUCT LINE, see Manufacturer/Producer.

If you are an E-COMMERCE PLATFORM PROVIDER, see Business Services.

PLEASE PROVIDE ALL DOCUMENTS IN ENGLISH.

Primary Business Sub-category

Convenience Store

Department Store

Discount Retailer

Drug Store/Pharmacy

E-tailer/Mail Order

Independent Grocer

Mass Merchant/Wholesale Club

Natural/Organic/Health/Co-op

Specailty Stores

Supermarket Chains

Retail: Gift Baskets, Corporate

Retail: Candy, Confections

Retail: Coffee, Tes, Etc.

Retail: Bakery, Etc.

Retail: Deli or C-Store

Retail: Wines/Liquors

Retail: Cookware/Housewares

Retail: Other
 

Acceptable Business Credentials

Must be current and include at least one of the following:

• Active Website link that directly sells finished consumer-ready food products from multiple manufacturers products to end consumer, retailer, manufacturer, or foodservice.
• Two (2) recent wholesale invoices billed to registered company from within the past 180 Days (6 months) which includes your company name and address, as well as the name and address of the manufacturer or distributor.
  • Purchase orders and handwritten invoices are not accepted.
  • Waybills, consignment shipping and pro-forma Invoices are not accepted. Invoices billed by your company to another entity are also not accepted.
  • You may omit pricing information (Optional).

Please note: we may verify your submitted documentation by contacting vendors you identify in your registration.
 

Acceptable Employment Credentials

Must be current and include one of the following:

• Business Cards are NOT accepted.
• Company email address (i.e. attendeename@companyname.com)
• 2 Recent Paycheck Stubs (Please redact financial and sensitive information.) - Handwritten paycheck stubs are not acceptable.
• Company Identification Card (must include company name, your photo, and full name) Digital renderings of your company identification card are not acceptable.
• Company insurance card with employee’s name (Please redact sensitive information.)

Your company buys and resells products to retail or foodservice operations. This category includes wholesalers, distributors, and exporters of finished specialty food products. To qualify for the Distributor classification, you must be a third-party distributor of more than one manufacturer's line of finished, consumer-ready brand in addition to any brands owned by your company.

If you produce or distribute FOOD-RELATED COMMODITIES, INGREDIENTS, SPICES, OR UNFINISHED FOOD-RELATED PRODUCTS, see MANUFACTURER/PRODUCER.

If you produce or distribute PACKAGING, see BUSINESS SERVICES.

If your company provides TRANSPORTATION, WAREHOUSING and/or LOGISTICS, see BUSINESS SERVICES.

If your company provides support for REGULATIONS/LICENSING and/or COMPLIANCE, see BUSINESS SERVICES.

PLEASE PROVIDE ALL DOCUMENTS IN ENGLISH.

Primary Business Sub-category

Distributor (Foodservice)

Distributor (To Retailers)

Exporter

Grocery Wholesaler
 

Acceptable Business Credentials

Must be current and include at least one of the following:

• Active website link that directly sells finished consumer-ready food products from multiple manufacturers products to a retailer or foodservice company.
• Product catalog showing brand selection as well as multple product lines
• Two (2) recent wholesale invoices billed to registered company from within the past 180 Days (6 months) which includes your company name and address, as well as the name and address of the manufacturer or distributor.
  • Purchase orders and handwritten invoices are not accepted.
  • Waybills, consignment shipping and pro-forma Invoices are not accepted. Invoices billed by your company to another entity are also not accepted.
  • You may omit pricing information (Optional).

Please note: we may verify your submitted documentation by contacting vendors you identify in your registration.
 

Acceptable Employment Credentials

Must be current and include one of the following:

• Business Cards are NOT accepted.
• Company email address (i.e. attendeename@companyname.com)
• 2 Recent Paycheck Stubs (Please redact financial and sensitive information.) - Handwritten paycheck stubs are not acceptable.
• Company Identification Card (must include company name, your photo, and full name) - Digital renderings of your company identification card are not acceptable.
• Company insurance card with employee’s name (Please redact sensitive information.)

Your company procures goods or products from international markets with the intention of selling them within the domestic market.To qualify for the Importer classification, you must be a third-party importer of more than one manufacturer's line of finished, consumer-ready food brand products in addition to any brands owned by your company.

If you produce or import FOOD-RELATED COMMODITIES, INGREDIENTS, SPICES, OR UNFINISHED FOOD-RELATED PRODUCTS, see MANUFACTURER/PRODUCER.

If your company provides TRANSPORTATION, WAREHOUSING and/or LOGISTICS, see BUSINESS SERVICES.

If your company provides support for REGULATIONS/LICENSING and/or COMPLIANCE, see BUSINESS SERVICES.

PLEASE PROVIDE ALL DOCUMENTS IN ENGLISH.

Primary Business Sub-category

Importer
 

Acceptable Business Credentials

Must be current and include at least one of the following:

• Active website link that directly sells finished consumer-ready food products from multiple manufacturers products to a retailer or foodservice company.
• Product catalog showing brand selection as well as multple product lines.
• Two (2) recent wholesale invoices billed to registered company from within the past 180 Days (6 months) which includes your company name and address, as well as the name and address of the manufacturer or distributor.
  • Purchase orders and handwritten invoices are not accepted.
  • Waybills, consignment shipping and pro-forma Invoices are not accepted. Invoices billed by your company to another entity are also not accepted.
  • You may omit pricing information (Optional).

Please note: we may verify your submitted documentation by contacting vendors you identify in your registration.
 

Acceptable Employment Credentials

Must be current and include one of the following:

• Business Cards are NOT accepted.
• Company email address (i.e. attendeename@companyname.com)
• 2 Recent Paycheck Stubs (Please redact financial and sensitive information.) - Handwritten paycheck stubs are not acceptable.
• Company Identification Card (must include company name, your photo, and full name) - Digital renderings of your company identification card are not acceptable.
• Company insurance card with employee’s name (Please redact sensitive information.)

Your company or institution sells/serves prepared foods to the end consumer. The Foodservice category includes restaurants, caterers, hospitality and institutional venues.

PLEASE PROVIDE ALL DOCUMENTS IN ENGLISH.

Primary Business Sub-category

Caterer

Full Service Restaurant: Chain

Full Service Restaurant: Fine Dining

Full Service Restaurant: Independent

Hotel and Lodging

Institutional/Commercial Dining Services

Limited Service Casual

Limited/Quick Serve Restaurant

Meal Kits

Foodservice: Hospital/Healthcare/Military

Foodservice: School/School Distric/University

Foodservice: Resort/Casino/Cruise Ship/Airline

Foodservice: Corporate Dining Services/Private Chef

Foodservice: Clubs: Country/Membership/Health

Foodservice: Other
 

Acceptable Business Credentials

Must be current and include at least one of the following:

• Active website link to menu or catering services provided
• Current Food & Beverage License (must be a copy of the document itself)
• Two (2) recent wholesale invoices from different manufacturers billed to registered company from within the past 180 Days (6 months) which includes your company name and address, as well as the name and address of the manufacturer or distributor.
  • Purchase orders and handwritten invoices are not accepted.
  • Waybills, consignment shipping and pro-forma Invoices are not accepted. Invoices billed by your company to another entity are also not accepted.
  • You may omit pricing information (Optional).

Please note: we may verify your submitted documentation by contacting vendors you identify in your registration.
 

Acceptable Employment Credentials

Must be current and include one of the following:

• Business Cards are NOT accepted.
• Company email address (i.e. attendeename@companyname.com)
• 2 Recent Paycheck Stubs (Please redact financial and sensitive information.) - Handwritten paycheck stubs are not acceptable.
• Company Identification Card (must include company name, your photo, and full name) - Digital renderings of your company identification card are not acceptable.
• Company insurance card with employee’s name (Please redact sensitive information.)
• Culinary Certificate or Degree (Foodservice only)

1. Your company manufactures specialty food, beverages and/or related products for sale.
2. Your company produces, distributes (import/export) food commodities and/or unfinished food-related products.
3. Your company owns a brand and uses a co-packer; i.e. private label.
4. Your business performs a combination of these functions.

This category also includes:

• Third parties that produce finished food products on behalf of other brand owners as a contract manufacturer.
• Farms/Growers

PLEASE PROVIDE ALL DOCUMENTS IN ENGLISH.

Primary Business Sub-category

Manufacturer/Producer

Startup Manufacturer
 

Acceptable Business Credentials

Must be current and include at least one of the following:

• Active Website describing manufacturing process, brand or product.
• Product catalog
• Letter of Intent from Lawyer or Bank-must state business type as well as anticipated open date. (Only acceptable for new businesses - Startup Manufacturer)
   

Acceptable Employment Credentials

Must be current and include one of the following:

• Business Cards are NOT accepted.
• Company email address (i.e. attendeename@companyname.com)
• 2 Recent Paycheck Stubs (Please redact financial and sensitive information.) - Handwritten paycheck stubs are not acceptable.
• Company Identification Card (must include company name, your photo, and full name) - Digital renderings of your company identification card are not acceptable.
• Company insurance card with employee’s name (Please redact sensitive information.)

Your company operates on behalf of a group or organization within the food industry, advocating for the best interests of those they represent.

PLEASE PROVIDE ALL DOCUMENTS IN ENGLISH.

Primary Business Sub-category

Broker (Specialty, Grocery, Foodservice, Gift, Military or Other)

Incubator Kitchen

Pavilion Organizer
 

Acceptable Business Credentials

Must be current and include at least one of the following:

• Active Website that provides information detailing primary business activity and function(s)
• Business License - must be a copy of the document itself. (Not acceptable: EIN or Tax ID, or company formation documents)
   

Acceptable Employment Credentials

Must be current and include one of the following:

• Business Cards are NOT accepted.
• Company email address (i.e. attendeename@companyname.com)
• 2 Recent Paycheck Stubs (Please redact financial and sensitive information.) - Handwritten paycheck stubs are not acceptable.
• Company Identification Card (must include company name, your photo, and full name) - Digital renderings of your company identification card are not acceptable.
• Company insurance card with employee’s name (Please redact sensitive information.)

Your company provides products and/or services that support the business functions of Retailers, Distributors, Foodservice, and/or Manufacturers within the food industry. This category also includes packaging, brand management and logistics.

PLEASE PROVIDE ALL DOCUMENTS IN ENGLISH.

Primary Business Sub-category

Advertising/PR

Brand Management

Consultant (Business or Indvidual)

Equipment/Machinery

Financial Services/Insurance/Legal

Food Safety/Labs/Product Testing

Logistics/Warehouse/Freight

Packaging/Printing

Marketing

Media/Publications

Food Delivery Service

Business Services: Other
 

Acceptable Business Credentials

Must be current and include at least one of the following:

• Active Website that provides information detailing primary business activity and function(s)
• Business License - must be a copy of the document itself. (Not acceptable: EIN or Tax ID, or company formation documents)
   

Acceptable Employment Credentials

Must be current and include one of the following:

• Business Cards are NOT accepted.
• Company email address (i.e. attendeename@companyname.com)
• 2 Recent Paycheck Stubs (Please redact financial and sensitive information.) - Handwritten paycheck stubs are not acceptable.
• Company Identification Card (must include company name, your photo, and full name) - Digital renderings of your company identification card are not acceptable.
• Company insurance card with employee’s name (Please redact sensitive information.)

An individual or entity that provides financial resources, usually in the form of capital investment, to support businesses in the food industry. They contribute funds in exchange for ownership stakes, equity, or anticipated returns on investment.
PLEASE PROVIDE ALL DOCUMENTS IN ENGLISH.

Primary Business Sub-category

Investor

 

Acceptable Business Credentials

Must be current and include at least one of the following:

• Active Website that provides information detailing primary business activity and function(s)
• Business License  - must be a copy of the document itself. (Not acceptable: EIN or Tax ID)
• Annual Company Statement

 

Acceptable Employment Credentials

Must be current and include one of the following:

• Business Cards are NOT accepted.
• Company email address (i.e. attendeename@companyname.com)
• 2 Recent Paycheck Stubs (Please redact financial and sensitive information.) - Handwritten paycheck stubs are not acceptable.
• Company Identification Card (must include company name, your photo, and full name) - Digital renderings of your company identification card are not acceptable.

Student
An individual enrolled in a higher educational institution or other formal learning program, with a focus on the food industry and or other related areas of study.

Faculty
An individual employed by a higher educational institution who holds a teaching or research position and is responsible for delivering instruction to students and or conducting academic research with a focus on the food industry and or other related areas of study.
PLEASE PROVIDE ALL DOCUMENTS IN ENGLISH.

Primary Business Sub-category

Student
Faculty

 

Acceptable Business Credentials

Must be current and include at least one of the following:

• Active Website detailing primary business activity and function(s)

Acceptable Employment Credentials

Must be current and include all of the following:

• Faculty
  • School email address
  • School ID
• Students
  • School email address
  • School ID
  • Official Enrollment Verification Letter or Current Transcript/Schedule showing matriculation