Definition: Includes wholesalers, distributors, brokers, importer and exporters of finished products. To qualify as a distributor, you must be a third-party distributor of more than one manufacturer's product line or brand, in addition to any brands owned by your company.

Distributors sell finished products that are ready to be sold to an end consumer. Suppliers provide "ingredients" for manufacturers to use in finished products.

If you distribute ingredients or other "products" to be used in the manufacturing of finished products, see supplier/raw ingredient distributor. If you "distribute" plastic containers or packaging for use in a finished good, you are classified as business services. If you distribute (or represent) only one manufacturer's brand line, see manufacturer.

Acceptable forms of business proof include one of the following:

• Website that sells finished products (from multiple manufacturers' brand lines), to a retailer or health practitioner.
• Order forms showing multiple manufacturers' product/brand lines.
• Letter of intent (from an attorney or bank on official letterhead stating the intent to start a business — this is acceptable for new businesses only). Letter must indicate company name, company function and registrant’s name.
• Brokerage agreements from multiple manufacturers.

Acceptable proof of employment forms include one of the following:

• Company email address (e.g., [email protected]).
• Current paycheck stub (black out the financial information please).
• We DO NOT accept business cards.

Business types include:

• Wholesaler of finished products.
• Importer/exporter of finished products.
• Broker of finished products.
• Third-party distributor of finished products/ingredient distributor.

Definition: Owns or works for a retail store (this includes online stores). Store must sell more than one manufacturer’s product line or brand to consumers. Not applicable if you are only selling your own brand.

You do not qualify as a retailer if you only sell one product line or brand. According to our company classifications, if your company owns the brand name on all products sold in your store, you are classified as a manufacturer.

Acceptable forms of business proof include one of the following:

• Business license showing business function (must be a copy of the document itself).
• Product catalog.
• Website that directly sells multiple branded products to an end consumer (not applicable if you only sell one product line or brand; see manufacturer).
• Current paycheck stub.
• Letter of intent (from an attorney or bank on official letterhead stating the intent to start a business — this is acceptable for new businesses only). Letter must indicate company name, company function and registrant’s name.

Acceptable proof of employment forms include one of the following:

• Enter your company email address (e.g., [email protected]).
• Current paycheck stub (black out the financial information please).
• We DO NOT accept business cards.

Business types include:

• E-tailer.
• Independent/co-op/natural product.
• Chain natural products store.
• Gourmet/specialty products.
• Personal care.
• Independent grocer.
• Conventional supermarket.
• Discount/mass merchandiser.
• Chain drug store/pharmacy.
• Gift/bookstore.
• Independent drug store/pharmacy.
• Mail order catalog.
• Home and textile.
• Convenience store.
• Pet supply store/grooming.

Definition: Those involved in the field of medicine, whether traditional or alternative.

Acceptable forms of business proof include one of the following:

• Website describing the individual/business’s practice or showing menu of multiple services and costs.
• Current business license showing business function. This must be a copy of the document itself (EIN, tax or sales licenses are not accepted). 
• Current and active medical license (must be a copy of the document itself).
• Product catalog or services menu.
  

Acceptable proof of employment forms include one of the following:

• Company email address (e.g., [email protected]).
• Current paycheck stub (black out the financial information please).
• We DO NOT accept business cards.

Business types include:

• Registered dietitian (RD).
• Registered dietitian student.
• Registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN).
• Dietetic technician registered (DTR).
• Nutrition and dietetic technician registered (NDTR).
• Nutritional therapy practitioner (NTP).
• Certified health coach (CHC).
• Certified holistic health counselor (CHHC).
• Certified personal trainer (CPT).
• Nurse practitioner (NP).
• Registered nurse (RN).
• Doctor of medicine (MD).
• Naturopathic doctor (ND).

Definition: Any business operating in the industry related to preparing, distributing or selling prepared/ready-to-eat foods. Includes restaurants, cafeterias and catering operations.

Acceptable forms of business proof include one of the following:

• Business license showing business function (must be a copy of the document itself).
• Current paycheck stub.
• Culinary certificate or degree.
• Letter of intent (from an attorney or bank on official letterhead stating the intent to start a business — this is acceptable for new businesses only). Letter must indicate company name, company function and registrant’s name.

Acceptable proof of employment forms include one of the following:

• Company email address (e.g., [email protected]).
• Current paycheck stub (black out the financial information please).
• We DO NOT accept business cards.

Business types include:

• Full-service restaurant.
• School/university.
• Tea room/coffee house.
• Hotel/resort/airline.
• Quick-serve restaurant.
• Caterer/private chef.
• Corporate dining.
• Clubs — country/membership/health.

Definition: Business investors are organizations or a group of people who give capital to start or grow a business and in exchange for this, they gain some control of the business and formulate agreements.

Acceptable forms of business proof include one of the following:

• Website detailing company function.
• Proof of C-corp or LLC standing (must be a copy of the document itself).
• Annual company statement.
• Business card.

Acceptable proof of employment forms include one of the following:

• Company email address (e.g., [email protected]).
• Current paycheck stub (black out the financial information please).
• We DO NOT accept business cards.

Business types include:

• Private equity fund.
• Corporate investor.
• Angel/individual investor.
• Hedge fund.
• Peer-to-peer/crowdfunding.

Definition: Provides raw materials, ingredients or equipment for manufacturing finished products. This includes farms, suppliers of food materials, raw minerals and machinery. This includes distributors of “products” listed above, used in the manufacturing of a finished product.

According to our company classifications, distributors sell finished products that are ready to be sold to an end consumer. Suppliers provide "ingredients" for manufacturers to use in finished products.

Acceptable forms of business proof include one of the following:

• Website that sells supplies, ingredients and/or equipment.
• Product catalog.
• Order forms.
• Letter of intent (from an attorney or bank on official letterhead stating the intent to start a business — this is acceptable for new businesses only). Letter must indicate company name, company function and registrant’s name.

Acceptable proof of employment forms include one of the following:

• Company email address (e.g., [email protected]).
• Current paycheck stub (black out the financial information please).
• We DO NOT accept business cards.

Business types include:

• Raw ingredient producer/supplier.
• Ingredient importer/exporter.
• Equipment supplier.
• Farm/grower.

Definition: Companies who provide support to the business functions of retailers, distributors, health practitioners, manufacturers or suppliers. Also includes schools and universities, government workers, and those that work for or represent the people and companies in the previous categories in such areas as advertising/public relations, banking, consultants, labs, research firms, transportation/logistics companies, demonstration/sampling companies, packaging and warehousing.

Acceptable forms of business proof include one of the following:

• Website.
• School ID (valid for student category only).
• Brochure or other documentation detailing services offered.

Acceptable proof of employment forms include one of the following:

• Company email address (e.g., [email protected]).
• Current paycheck stub (black out the financial information please).
• We DO NOT accept business cards.

Business types include:

• Consultant.
• Advertising/branding/PR.
• Government agency.
• Financial institution/investment bank.
• Not for profit.
• Association.
• Packaging/design.
• Publisher.
• Laboratory/testing.
• School/university research.
• Legal/regulatory.
• Independent formulators.
• Franchise.
• Other within the industry (must specify).