Producer/Processor Membership Criteria

Production

Member businesses must demonstrate a commitment to continuous improvement through quality assurance documentation (e.g., HACCP, Good Manufacturing Practices).

Where Nova Scotia supply is available, and quality and price are competitive, member companies must purchase product packaging and associated marketing materials from Nova Scotia suppliers.

Member companies must have a production/processing facility located in Nova Scotia, or must use an approved co-packer with a production/processing facility located in Nova Scotia.

Member companies must have a head office in Nova Scotia.

Member companies must have a written traceability and recall plan.

Member companies must demonstrate they are meeting the current inspection/regulation/licensing requirements that may apply to their category of production.

Upon change of control, membership terminates at the end of the contract. New owners may apply for reassessment.

Marketing

Member companies must be willing to incorporate the Taste of Nova Scotia branding into their marketing strategy when participating in Taste of Nova Scotia initiatives, such as trade shows, packaging opportunities and export missions.

Members who choose to use the Taste of Nova Scotia logo or other branding marks must agree to use such marks in accordance with the standards of use issued by Taste of Nova Scotia from time to time. Any changes in such use standards will be communicated to Members and Members who continue use of such marks after notice of such changes has been provided shall be deemed to have accepted and agreed to comply with the new standards.

Members must incorporate resource information designed to promote Taste of Nova Scotia program awareness and knowledge into their staff training sessions.

Financial

Member companies must have demonstrated an ability to sustain operations.

Member companies may be requested to provide two credit references.

Member companies must hold a minimum $2,000,000 public liability insurance coverage covering product liability claims. Members displaying any Taste of Nova Scotia logos or marks on products or packaging must agree to indemnify Taste of Nova Scotia and any of its affiliates and their respective shareholders, directors, officers, employees and agents and hold them harmless from all fines, suits, proceedings, losses, claims, demands or actions of any nature or kind whatsoever, (“Claims”) directly or indirectly, arising out of or in any manner whatsoever associated or connected with the Member’s products and against any and all damages, costs, expenses and fees (including without limitation reasonable legal expenses) incurred by or on behalf of any of the foregoing in the investigation or defense of any and all such Claims.

Product Criteria

Where Nova Scotia supply is available, and quality and price are competitive, Nova Scotia primary production must be utilized in the manufacturing of processed items.

Any products put forward to Taste of Nova Scotia for approval must reflect a quality image to the customer:

Packaging/labeling must reflect a premium quality image.

Any approved product must meet all applicable laws related to labeling requirements.

Any eligible product must meet one of the following criteria:

Any approved product must have the company/business corporate/business identity and/or brand clearly affixed to the product. This includes private label (retail brands) products. Approved private label products must clearly bear the member’s corporate or business identity in obvious association as the producer.