Membership FAQs

What does being a member of UFA entail?

Joining UFA Membership is about putting your work at the center of the booming upcycled movement. Our six membership packages are designed to meet your unique needs and help establish you as a leader in addressing the climate crisis through food and consumer goods solutions. 

What type of membership is best for me?

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 nonprofit, individual or student that is applying. Learn more about which member type you are eligible for by reading information by each member type on this page. 

How much does membership cost?

Membership costs vary based on member type (e.g. Supporter, Advocate, Champion, Nonprofit, Individual, and Student)  Depending on which member type your company is eligible for, annual dues may be based on annual gross sales. Learn more about member types and annual costs here . 

What kinds of benefits do Members enjoy?

The benefit offerings depend on type of membership. Generally, members get access to the latest upcycled industry and food waste market research, informative and engaging virtual events, specialized marketing tools and assets, promotion at industry trade shows, the opportunity to connect with like-minded leaders all over the world, 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 needs and help establish you as a leader in addressing the climate crisis through upcycled food solutions. Learn more about the benefits you are 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.

Can I join as a member if I’m not in the USA?

Yes! We have members from over global countries within the UFA network and are working to continue growing our global community. Explore our member directory here .

I don’t currently have an upcycled product...can I still become a 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 leaders, 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 upcycled products or ingredients already. 

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. 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 us with your questions at membership@upcycledfood.org. If you have questions about Upcycled Certified, reach out to the Where Food Comes From team.