 Connect with the industry year-round.Membership in the
NASFT gives you total access to the innovative hub of the global food and
beverage marketplace. Only NASFT members are allowed to exhibit at the Fancy
Food Shows and submit entries to the prestigious sofi™ Awards. Members also
receive valuable services and discounts on NASFT products and programs, which
are all designed to help our members succeed in the $60 billion specialty food
industry. |
Membership Types/Benefits | General Information |
NASFT Membership Benefits
All members receive access to the following benefits:
- Two Fancy Food Shows annually, with 42,000 attendees and
260,000
specialty food products
- Specialty
Food Magazine, the premier specialty food trade publication
- Specialty
Food News, the email newsletter that reaches 45,000 trade
specialists each
day
- Ground breaking industry research and
statistics through the
annual State
of the Specialty Food
Industry and Today’s Specialty Food Consumer report
- Educational Programs, Exclusive discounts on Sessions at the Fancy
Food Shows designed specifically for the specialty
food trade
- Online Resources: Discounted archived and live webinars, downloadable
educational content, free industry supplier lists, an online Vendor Search
tool, and access to Member-Only online social Groups.
- Regional Share Groups: NASFT hosts MEMBER ONLY Share Groups
throughout the year and across the country to help members forge bonds
within
their communities and learn from each other in the process.
For a complete overview of NASFT Program & Services, click
here
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NASFT Membership Types
NASFT has three membership types to meet the needs of all levels of the
specialty food trade. A variety of services and programs are geared for
each specific type:
EXHIBITING MEMBER
Eligible companies are manufacturers,
importers, distributors, brokers,
accessory suppliers, publications,
trade organizations, local and state
agencies, foreign manufacturers,
consultants. * Must be active sellers in
the specialty food trade
for a minimum of one year. Don't yet meet the requirements to
be an Exhibiting Member? | Included Benefits:- Ability to exhibit at Fancy
Food Shows, the premier
marketplace for reaching the
specialty food trade
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MEMBER CANDIDATE
These are companies
not yet qualified
for Exhibiting Membership. They
must currently have a
finished product
for resale and meet labeling criteria
(lists company name,
ingredients and
origin), and have been in the specialty
food business less than
one year
and/or have fewer than five retail
references prior to the time of
application.
| Included Benefits:- Feedback from the Member
Candidate Admissions
Committee on your products
- Participation in New Brands
on the Shelf Pavilion tabletop
display or special program at a
Fancy Food Show
- Business and application
assistance from a dedicated
NASFT staff person
- Free 30-minute consultation
with NASFT’s Washington
cousel or trademark advisor
- Member Candidate status
limited to a maximum of 2
years for companies who
have been in business less
than one year and/or have
fewer than five retail accounts;
Candidates must currently have
a finished product for resale
meeting labeling criteria
(company name, ingredients,
origin)
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Retailer Network
Consists of specialty food stores,
supermarkets, health/natural food
stores, wine/liquor stores, caterers
and bakeries. Members receive early
access to the Fancy Food Shows,
exclusive Retailer Network tours, extra
passes and access to the Retailer
Network Lounge during the shows.
Most buyers in the food industry are
eligible for membership. | Included Benefits:- Early access to the
Fancy Food Show starting
at 8 a.m.
- Six free Show passes
for each Fancy Food Show
- Up to 40% discount on
NASFT-designed Educational
Programs
- Exclusive access to the
NASFT Retailer Network
Lounge and special events
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Application Requirements
All applicants must provide the following:
- Customer list (references)
- Descriptions of company and products
- Declarations page of the Commercial
General Liability (CGL) insurance policy
(in particular, product liability
coverage), with the NASFT as an additional
insured under the same policy - Non-refundable $100 application fee
- In addition, Exhibiting
Members and Member Candidates must provide sample
products. The NASFT
Admissions Committee reviews all products to make
sure they qualify as
specialty foods. If the products consist of large display
units, e.g.,
manufacturing equipment, or if the company markets services, the
applicant may
submit literature, photos or other descriptive material
representing such
products or services. - Membership Dues (Required by all applicants except Member Candidates.)
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