CFC Code of Conduct

1) Membership: Who Can Join

• •Members must be active food producers, processors, or value-added makers aligned with CFC’s local-first mission.
• •Priority is given to producers operating in Prince Edward County; adjacent regions may be considered if they strengthen (not dilute) local resilience.
• •Members must demonstrate consistent product quality, reliable fulfillment practices, and respectful communication.
• •Members agree to provide accurate business, product, and pricing information at all times.

2) Product Eligibility: What Can Be Sold

• •Products must be legal, safe, and accurately represented.
• •Products should be locally grown, raised, made, or materially transformed by the selling member.
• •CFC may restrict products that are inconsistent with local-first principles, quality standards, or customer trust expectations.
• •Claims (e.g., organic, pasture-raised, local, regenerative, allergen-safe) must be truthful and verifiable.
• •CFC reserves the right to decline products that create brand, safety, or mission risk.

3) Transparency & Integrity

• •Members must not misrepresent origin, ingredients, production methods, availability, or inventory.
• •Substitutions require clear customer communication and equivalent-or-better value unless otherwise approved.
• •Pricing must be intentional and fair; bait pricing or misleading promotions are not permitted.
• •Any known quality/safety issue must be disclosed to CFC immediately.

4) Operations Standards

• •Members are expected to meet agreed order, packing, and delivery timelines.
• •Chronic late fulfillment, shorting without notice, or repeated quality failures trigger review.
• •Members must maintain responsive communication with CFC operations on active orders/issues.
• •CFC systems and workflows (including listing standards and deadlines) are mandatory participation requirements.

5) Community Conduct

• •Members treat customers, staff, and other producers with professionalism and respect.
• •Harassment, discrimination, or abusive behavior is grounds for immediate action.
• •Members should contribute to a cooperative culture: clear communication, accountability, and problem-solving.
• •Public conduct that materially harms CFC trust may be reviewed under this code.

6) Mission Guardrails (Decision Test)

Before approving a product, member, or policy, ask:

• • Does this strengthen local food resilience?
• • Does this increase or erode customer trust?
• • Does this align with CFC's quality bar?
• • Would we be proud to explain this decision publicly?

If the answer is unclear, decision is paused pending review.

7) Governance & Enforcement

• •CFC leadership retains final approval over membership and product eligibility.
• •Concerns may trigger: warning, corrective action plan, temporary suspension, or removal.
• •Severe violations (safety, fraud, abuse, repeated bad-faith conduct) may result in immediate suspension/removal.
• •Members may request a review of decisions; CFC will provide rationale and next steps.

8) Continuous Improvement

• • This code is a living document and will be reviewed at least quarterly.
• • Standards may evolve with seasonality, growth, and regulatory or operational realities.
• • Updates will be shared clearly with members before enforcement dates.