There are several ways to join us, depending on your needs and level of involvement. This page outlines the available options and how each one works.
Choose the Option That Fits You Best!
We offer three ways to join — including a free tier — so you can start where you are and grow at your own pace! Whether you’re just beginning or already running a business, you’ll find an option that fits. Scroll down for a closer look at the membership tiers.
Starter Membership (Free)
$0/month
For those just thinking about starting a new food business.
Standard Membership
$23/month
This is our main membership tier — standard and commonly used (includes our famous A+)
Sponsored Membership
$0/month*
Let our sponsor pay the membership fee for you (Same benefits as Standard)
*Fee covered through sponsorship upon approval
Starter Membership
Starter Membership is the simplest and completely free way to join the New York Food Business Association and become part of our network.
- Serves as a perfect starting point for those in the early stages of exploring or preparing to start their own food business.
- Provides a simple, ongoing connection between you and the Association — one that can be valuable now and as your plans take shape.
- We’ll notify you of any major changes in rules or requirements affecting food businesses in New York City, especially those relevant to beginners.
- Starter Members receive access to our beginner-friendly publications: “Starting a Food Business from Home” and “Starting a Food Business in New York”, as well as all future publications aimed at those planning to enter the food business.
- You’ll also receive priority attention if you’re considering an upgrade to Standard or Sponsored Membership — especially if you have questions about our A-plus Voluntary Implementation Program.
There’s nothing to lose — and plenty to gain. Starter Membership is completely free, comes with no obligations, and never locks you into anything. It’s simply a way to stay connected, stay informed, and start your journey on the right foot. As a bonus, you’ll receive exclusive and free access to two of our publications: “Starting a Food Business from Home” and “Starting a Food Business in New York.” Why not join today and see where it leads?
Standard Membership (VIP)
Standard Membership (VIP) is the primary way to become an active part of the New York Food Business Association and take advantage of everything we offer — including our Voluntary Implementation Program (VIP). For a bit of extra encouragement, we like to play on the name and occasionally refer to our Standard and Sponsored Members as VIP members — because they truly are.
- Grants access to our A-plus Voluntary Implementation Program (VIP) — a program designed to reflect your commitment to quality across all key areas of food business operations.
- Free one-on-one coaching is part of your Standard Membership — designed to support your progress through the A+ VIP program and help you with getting your A-plus certificate, whenever needed.
- We’ll notify you of any major changes in rules or requirements affecting food businesses in New York City — especially those that could have a critical impact on your operations. This way, you can be confident that truly important updates won’t slip past you.
- Standard Members receive access to all current and future publications — not only those intended for beginners, but for the wider food business community as well.
Participation in the A+ VIP program isn’t a one-time event — it’s an ongoing process. We stay in touch with member businesses to ensure that the A+ certificate remains not just a past achievement, but a visible and lasting sign of quality. Your access to helpful updates, free technical support, and VIP one-on-one coaching continues for as long as you maintain your Standard Membership.
Sponsored Membership (Coming Soon)
Sponsored Membership (VIP) includes all the same benefits and conditions offered through our Standard Membership — with one major difference: you don’t pay a cent for it!
Let an NYFBA sponsor cover it for you. Just use the specific service they provide, and they’ll take care of your full membership cost — for as long as you continue using it.
Coming soon: This option is currently in development. If you’re interested, we recommend joining as a Standard Member for now. Once Sponsored Membership becomes available, we’ll notify you — and you’ll be able to switch, provided one of the sponsor services interests you.
