MEMBERSHIP
MEMBERSHIP
MEMBERSHIP
ELIGIBILITY
GFA provides Members with a wide range of services, support and activities, all designed to help your business grown and succeed.
Focused specifically on businesses that provide good food products to the Chicago area, we welcome businesses that are just starting out through ones that are established and ready to take a leap forward.
Because our focus is on good food, all Members are required to meet at least one of the following criteria:
- Local Sourcing: A specific percentage of ingredients produced within 50 miles of primary operations
- Healthy Food: No additives, no added chemicals, no added antibiotics/hormones, non-GMO, certified gluten-free, certified organic, reduced sugar, reduced saturated fats, reduced salt and/or reduced calories
- Fair Labor Practices: Living wage, overtime pay and/or paid sick leave
- Responsible Animal Practices: Sourcing meat products/ingredients from facilities with humane and ethical animal husbandry practices
- Waste Reduction: Carbon and/or waste reduction practices at facilities
- Sustainability: Packing and/or shipping materials are recyclable
MEMBERSHIP
BENEFITS
GFA Members can participate in a wide range of activities, including classes and panel discussions, as well as networking events. We also conduct community workshops that are available to anyone who wants to learn about running a food-focused business.
GFA distributes periodic promotional e-mails that highlight Member products. We also feature Member news in our GFA newsletter and through our social media feeds.
There’s no substitute for introductions to industry and business leaders. We also help with vendor referrals and suggestions.
GFA’s Market Access Program helps Members prepare for retail opportunities and provides connections to local retailers.
Every year, Members can receive up to 12 hours of expert counsel from our volunteers and/or the GFA staff.
Our team is committed to your success and has experience working with entrepreneurs. We’re also active in neighborhoods in south and west Chicago.
MEMBERSHIP
COST
Membership fees for the Good Food Accelerator are $225/year.
Payment plans are available
Membership is individual (not company) based. A 50% discount is available for multiple Members from the same company.
Membership does not include minimal fees for in-person events (to help with catering/location costs)
There is a cost to participate in cohort programs, but participants receive a fully year of GFA Membership for free after the program. Needs-based scholarships are available for cohort programs.
JOIN TODAY!
It’s easy! Just click the button to download the application. Fill it out and email it to GFA@familyfarmed.org. We’ll get back to you within a week!