The Mercantile is an industry-only trade show focused on developing wholesale relationships between crafters and merchants. If you’re a merchant, distributor or in the media, we’d love for you attend!
Good Food Guild members are also allowed two passes to check out the show and see if its a good fit.
All crafters who have passed the sustainability vetting to become a Good Food Guild member are eligible to show at the Mercantile.
If you are not already a member, you are welcome to apply after registering for the Mercantile.
The Guild requirements vary by category, but generally include criteria like:
– Made with transparency in the supply chain.
– Free of genetically modified ingredients.
– Made with a balanced objective of local, organic and highest-quality.
– Made in the USA or US territories.
$1,250
The Good Food Foundation works to provide equal opportunities to all sustainable crafters. Should the booth fee be beyond your budget, please email us at connect@goodfoodfdn.org.
Each crafter showing at the Mercantile is given a 6 ft table draped in black linen, a crafter sign, 2 crafter badges and a small trash receptacle. Both cold and dry storage warehousing is also provided for crafters who would like to ship product ahead of time.
For an additional fee, crafters can request electricity, space for a free-standing sign, coolers, wine glasses or a champagne bucket.
You may show and sample your entire product line. It is NOT limited to Good Food Award winning products or Good Food Award categories.
There are no direct sales at the Mercantile. Crafters may sample and take wholesale orders.
The Good Food Mercantile is a one day event that runs from 10am – 4pm (San Diego) or 12pm – 5pm (New York). Crafters set up early in the morning and load-out after the show ends.
“We thought the Mercantile had a lot of new diversity of crafters we hadn’t seen before. We definitely picked up some new products.” – Emily Friedberg, Co-Owner of Each Peach Market in Washington, D.C.
“There couldn’t have been a better event for showcasing small producers in SF and Brooklyn. We’ve had the chance to catch up with our current retailers and friends on both coasts and talk to many new people all around. We loved everything about the event.” – Amy Deaver, CEO and Jam Maker of Lemon Bird Preserves in Los Angeles, California
“I loved the organization of this event, it was the perfect environment to get to know the makers and explore new partnerships.” – Alison Kunetka, Manager of Food Development at Williams Sonoma
Crafters: If your plans have changed and you can no longer show at the Mercantile, your registration fee can be credited toward a future event. Until two months before the Mercantile, a refund may be available upon request.
In the unusual case of an event-wide cancellation, your choice of a refund or a future event credit will be available.
Attendees: Mercantile tickets are non-refundable but can be transferred to another attendee.
Helping the Good Food Foundation and Good Food Merchants Collaborative bring the Mercantile to life are our generous hosts: businesses and organizations committed to leading the way in uniting great food crafters and merchants in virtuous commerce.
Yes! Some venues require a certificate of insurance or additional liquor permit, but so please confirm prior to reserving your space.
All crafters attending a Good Food Mercantile are required to be active members of the Good Food Guild.
This ensures that all attendees meet the same set of sustainability criteria that Good Food Award Winners are held to.
If you are not a member of the Guild, you can learn more here.
We recommend that crafters bring 250-400 samples total depending on the show you are attending.
Specific sample suggestions will be sent in the crafter information kit for each show.
If you have registered for the Good Food Mercantile in San Diego, you will be contacted by the Specialty Food Association to get set up in their Map Your Show system. This will give you access to:
- set up your listing in the online directory
- shipping information
- load in/out information
- additional services available
- all logistics needed for a great show
This depends on the venue and the show layout as free-standing signs should not obstruct or impact other exhibitors’ displays.
Signs placed on top of or attached to your table DO NOT require registration.
Signage attached to walls or any building fixtures are NOT permitted.
A limited number of spaces are available for food-related businesses such as makers of reusable coffee filters, sustainable pet food or cleaning products.
Crafters of these products are required to join the Good Food Guild.
At this time we do not offer the opportunity to select your booth. However, we are dedicated to providing an equitable experience to all attendees.
Each maker will receive the same size booth, back space and materials.
The Good Food Mercantile was launched in 2015 in San Francisco on the day before the Specialty Food Association’s Winter Fancy Food Show. Since then editions of the Mercantile have been held across the country:
2015: San Francisco, New York City
2016: San Francisco, Chicago, New York City
2017: San Francisco, Washington, DC, New York City
2018: San Francisco, Portland, New York City
2019: San Francisco, New York City, Los Angeles
2020: San Francisco
2021: Virtual (COVID)
2022: Portland, New York City, San Francisco
2023: Portland, New York City, San Francisco
2024: Portland, New York City, San Francisco
2025: New York City