What is the Specialty Food Association’s definition of “specialty foods?”
We define specialty food products as:
- Foods and beverages that exemplify quality, innovation, and style
- Products defined by some - or all - of these characteristics:
- originality, authenticity, ethnic or cultural origin, specific processing, ingredients, limited supply, distinctive use, extraordinary packaging, and/or specific channel of distribution or sale
- Products that maintain a high perceived value and often command a premium price
The Process of Joining SFA
Upon completion and review of your membership application, applicants will receive an email confirmation within three business days once all requirements have been met. Applicants approved for SFA membership come into the association as Tier 1 members. Tier 2 benefits include exhibiting at the Fancy Food Shows*, entering the sofi Awards™, and more.
Qualified Tier 1 members will receive instructions on how to apply for product qualification (one-time fee of $150 applies). SFA will automatically upgrade Tier 1 members who become product qualified to Tier 2. Click here to review the membership terms and conditions.
Who can apply for membership with the Specialty Food Association?
SFA accepts most food-related businesses that can provide proof of their product or the service they provide. Startups and businesses in early-stage product development are welcome to join as well as established food manufacturers. We also welcome buyers, distributors, and brokers to SFA membership (see full list below).
There are two classes of membership, General and Alliance.
General Members:
Businesses engaged in or with an intent to engage in the production, selling, or reselling of a specialty food product. Examples of qualified businesses are as follows:
- Manufacturers
- Accessory Suppliers
- Brokers
- Caterers
- Distributors
- E-Commerce Buyers
- Importers
- Ingredient Suppliers
- Labels/Packaging
- Retailers
- Restaurants
- Wholesalers
Alliance Members:
Businesses engaged in advancing and/or supporting the specialty food industry. Examples of qualified businesses are as follows:
- Accelerators
- Consultants
- Financial Services
- Freight Services
- Government Organizations
- Graphic Designers
- Incubators
- Investment Entities
- Legal
- Logistics
- Marketing Services
- Media
- Pavilion Organizers
- Publications
- Public Relations
- Shipping
- Software/Digital Solutions
- Trade Associations
- Universities
What companies are not eligible for Specialty Food Association membership?
Manufacturers of:
- Pet food
- Foods containing CBD* or THC
- Nutritional/health supplements (products such as vitamins or amino acids intended to supplement one's diet)
*Due to FDA rulings that food/beverages may not contain CBD, no CBD products may be promoted at SFA events. Our venue partners, including the Javits Center in NYC, also typically prohibit the marketing of CBD products.
What does it cost to join the Specialty Food Association?
| General | Alliance | |
| Membership Dues* | $300 | $500 |
| Application Fee** | $100 | $100 |
| Product Qualification*** | $150 | N/A |
*Membership dues automatically renew every 12 months based upon join/anniversary date. All membership fees are non-refundable.
** One-time fee only - not charged for renewal.
*** Those wishing to take advantage of Tier 2 benefits (see below), must go through Product Qualification.
What is required when applying for SFA membership?
Applicants need to provide the following information:
- Company firmographics
- Evidence of connection to the specialty food industry
- Digital acknowledgement of terms & conditions and member agreement
- Payment information (Credit card or ACH) for membership fees
*If you are an International Manufacturer not yet selling in the U.S. marketplace and are interested in exhibiting at the Fancy Food Show, please contact Mimo Boulefrakh, our Manager of International Exhibits & Sponsorships, at [email protected].
How do I apply for membership in the Specialty Food Association?
You can apply to become an SFA member by clicking here and following these steps:
- Click on the “Login” button in the top right corner of the webpage
- Click on “Create an Account” and fill in the requested information
- SFA will send you a verification email with a link to verify your account
- Scroll to the left of the page and click on the “Membership” drop down menu
- Click “Member Benefits” and then the “Apply for Membership” button and the application will load
- The last step of the application will ask you to pay the membership and application fee
Please reach out to our Admissions team if you have any questions or concerns at [email protected]
What are the differences between Tier 1 and Tier 2 membership?
Tier 1 membership benefits include:
- Access to the SFA Learning Center
- Complimentary or discounted access to SFA research, webinars, and events
- Two dedicated SFA staff members to help with questions and any needs
To participate as a Tier 2 member, you must be a Tier 1-approved member and go through our product qualification evaluation.
Tier 2 membership benefits include:
- Exhibiting at the Fancy Food Shows*
- Participating in the Spotlight Showcases at the Fancy Food Shows
- Entering the sofi™ Awards
* Here is a full list of exhibiting rules.
What does product qualification entail?
Once SFA Tier 1 membership has been approved, qualified businesses will receive information detailing the steps needed for Tier 2 membership, notably product evaluation and qualification.
An evaluation is conducted to determine if products meet the standards for specialty food. Products are scored on several attributes, including packaging, labeling, ingredients, product appearance, taste and overall quality.
Required:
- A one-time, $150 non-refundable evaluation fee
- Products must have been sold in the U.S. marketplace for a minimum of six months
- Only food and beverage products designed for human consumption are eligible
- Companies must submit one product that best represents their line of products