The Specialty Food Association and the Good Food Foundation represent very similar values and customer bases related to development of food and beverage products. Combining efforts will shore up long-term resources for the Good Food Foundation’s mission, and allow Good Food members to take advantage of the long-standing and successful SFA infrastructure and year-round benefits to create value across both organizations.

The two groups (SFA and GFF) are working to identify what Good Food resources will be needed to ensure continuity and the right transition experience for GFF members.

Beginning sometime in 2026, Good Food members will gain access to all SFA member benefits, including education, data reports around category and trend performance, discounted business services, and an expanded community of peers.

This integration creates an expanded community of like-minded crafters/makers/manufacturers developing less processed, more authentic, and values-driven products to network, learn, and benefit from.

Guild membership will be transferred over to SFA membership sometime in the 2^nd quarter of 2026 . After that, on your normal guild renewal date, you will choose whether or not you wish to continue as a member of the SFA with Good Food designation or not. If you choose to renew, your company will retain the ability to use the Good Food seal, continue to be eligible to exhibit at Good Food Mercantiles, and you’ll gain full access to all of SFA’s member benefits, resources, and discounts.

SFA is currently evaluating its membership and dues structure, all while considering how to best align with GFF’s offerings. No decisions have been made on membership costs. Once we complete the discovery stage more information will be available.

Yes, and you can read about it here. SFA’s process is very different from the Good Food Guild category standards. SFA will continue to uphold the GFF category standards and vetting process for any SFA members that wish to earn the Guild seal. Current Guild members who choose to remain members as part of SFA will carry over their status and will not need to re-apply for Guild status.

No, as a current Guild member who has previously met Good Food’s standards, you will already be deemed to have also met SFA’s product qualification requirements. You do not have to go through the Good Food vetting process again to transfer your membership over to SFA member. Any current SFA member will, however, still need to go through the process if they wish to earn the Good Food Guild designation through SFA.

The Good Food Guild seal will continue to exist as a Good Food designation awarded by SFA.

SFA is happy to welcome Merchant members. Just as with Guild members, Merchant Alliance members will seamlessly transfer to SFA membership in Spring 2026 with access to all SFA member benefits. When their renewal date arrives, they will be able to choose whether or not to continue as a members of SFA.

In January of 2026, there will be a Good Food Mercantile co-located with SFA’s Winter FancyFaire* event in San Diego. It will continue to be a one-day event at the same price point you have paid in the past, with the same all-inclusive, move-in-ready package.

The June 2026 Mercantile will take place alongside the Summer Fancy Food Show (SFFS) in NYC. We have not yet determined whether that Mercantile will take place at Javits during SFFS or if it will continue to be the day before in a separate location. More information will be available in January 2026.

For Winter FancyFaire*, you will continue to reserve exhibit space directly through the Good Food Foundation. For the Summer Fancy Food Show, SFA is currently developing that process.

No, the cost will remain the same for 2026 ($1,150 Early, $1,250 regular, $1,350 late.) Your exhibit package will include the same items as in the past plus one chair per exhibitor, access to shared electricity, 100 lbs of free drayage, and 3 three badges for your team that are valid for all three days of the Winter FancyFaire* or Summer Fancy Food Show.

SFA is happy to support any exhibitors who wish to participate in both the Mercantile and WFF, and will help guide them through the process.

Yes, a Winter FancyFaire* or Summer Fancy Food Show badge is required to attend the Mercantile. You can register on the SFA website. Merchant Supporters, Sustainers, and Collaborative members should have received unique codes for the complimentary passes included with their membership level benefits. Contact connect@goodfoodfdn.org if you have not received your code(s).

Others who wish to attend the San Diego Show can use code GFFSD26 at checkout for 50% off the regular registration rate if you qualify as a Retailer, Foodservice, Distributor, Importer, Student/Faculty, Representative/Broker, or Investor. Non-exhibiting Manufacturers/Crafters will receive 25% off with the code. Business category qualifications can be found on the SFA website, and the code is only valid for those not already registered.

Most likely not in 2026. We are evaluating options related to additional Mercantiles and will update the community as things progress.

The Good Food Awards will continue as a trusted and meaningful recognition program. The 2026 Good Food Awards are currently underway and will be celebrated at the 2026 Summer Fancy Food Show/Good Food Mercantile in NYC.

Yes, any product receiving the Good Food Award will have the same benefits and privileges that exist today.

For the time being, both award programs will continue as-is. The sofi Awards will be celebrated at the Winter FancyFaire* event and the Good Food Awards will be celebrated at the Summer Fancy Food Show / GFF Mercantile.