Membership FAQs
What does being a member of UFA entail?
Joining UFA Membership is about putting your business at the center of the booming upcycled movement. Our six membership packages are designed to meet your organization’s unique needs and help establish you as a leader in addressing the climate crisis through food and consumer goods solutions.
What member type is best for my organization?
UFA offers six membership packages, each with a unique set of benefits. Eligibility for each member type is determined by the type of business or organization (e.g. CPG brand, manufacturer, ingredient suppliers, retailer, distributor, service providers, etc.) that is applying. Learn more about which member type your company or organization is eligible for by reading the eligibility information associated with each member type on this page.
How much does membership cost?
Membership costs vary based on member type (e.g. Upcycler, Affiliate, Not-for-profit, Distributor/Importer, Individual, and Student) Depending on which member type your company or organization is eligible for, annual dues may be based on annual gross sales or paid as a flat fee. Learn more about member types and the associated costs here .
What kinds of benefits do Members enjoy?
The benefit offerings depend on Member Type, but are generally designed to meet the needs of the type of businesses that qualify. Generally, Members get access to the latest upcycled industry and food waste market research, informative and engaging virtual events, specialized marketing tools and assets, product placement and sampling spots at industry trade shows, the opportunity to connect with like-minded entities all over the world, personalized support from the UFA team, and more.
Can I pick and choose which benefits I would like to use?
Our six membership packages are uniquely designed to meet your organization’s needs and help establish you as a leader in addressing the climate crisis through food and consumer goods solutions. Learn more about the benefits your organization is eligible for here. If you are looking for a specific benefit that you do not see listed, let us know at membership@upcycledfood.org!
How do I become a member?
Submit an application for one of our six member types here. Please read the eligibility requirements for each member type based on your type of business to determine which membership application to submit.
Can I join as a member if I’m not in the USA?
Yes! We have members from over 20 countries within the UFA network and are working to continue growing our global community . Learn more about how to become a member here .
I don’t currently have an upcycled product...can I still be an Upcycler Member?
You sure can! We want to support anyone interested in being involved in, updated on, or associated with the upcycled food movement. Our six Member Types are designed to meet the needs of different types of businesses and organizations in the food waste space that want to get involved in the upcycling movement - whether you’re just starting out or if you have a full product line of upcycled products.
Am I guaranteed an upcycled food certification if I join as a UFA Member?
No, all members have to go through an application and auditing process with the third party Certifying Body called Where Food Comes From. If you are considering certification, membership is a good first step as Upcycler Members and Distributor/Importer Members are eligible to receive up to a 40% discount on certification fees. For more details on how to get started with certification, please visit our certification page.
I’m interested in becoming a member, but I still have some questions. What should I do?
Email our team with your questions at membership@upcycledfood.org. If you have questions about Upcycled Certified, reach out to the Where Food Comes From team.