FAQs
General / About the Collaborative
What is the Food Collaborative?
The online home of the FDEA community. One place to connect, learn and grow, where members share ideas, ask questions, access resources, book events and masterclasses, advertise jobs and keep up with what's happening across the export world. We're continually adding content, so worth checking back regularly. It's also where we showcase your brand to buyers: we invite international buyers, importers, retailers and foodservice teams to browse the Exporter Catalogue throughout the year, so it's worth keeping your profile and company page up to date.
How is it different from FDEA?
The Collaborative brings together the FDEA and Future of Food communities. FDEA focuses on helping UK food and drink businesses succeed internationally. Future of Food champions entrepreneurship, innovation and the future of the industry. Together they're a broader network of people building, exporting, investing, advising and shaping what's next.
What is Future of Food, and how does it fit in?
An annual competition for food entrepreneurs with ideas that could shape the industry's future, founded by Barney Mauleverer, who also chairs FDEA. Entrants pitch across themes like health, production, technology, circularity and equity, with finalists presenting at a live final in London each November for a huge prize.
How is the FDEA going to help grow UK food and drink exports by £1bn a year?
A three-pronged strategy, underpinned by a fourth:
Connect – a space for exporters, new and established, to mix with buyers, experts, enablers and amplifiers
Learn – skilling up exporters of all shapes and sizes through a calendar of masterclasses and insights
Grow – promoting new export growth through “meet the buyer” opportunities year-round
Collaborate – working with industry groups, government, all four nations and experts to combine collective strength and reduce friction at borders
I'm part of a buying team or trade body. What should I do to participate?
Contact us directly and we'll talk through how to use the platform, join events and benefit. Same goes for anyone with an idea for activity that could add value to the mission.
Membership tiers
What are the membership options?
Verified Enterprise (£50pm +VAT) for innovators and exporting brands, and Approved Partner (£75pm +VAT) for service providers.
What's the difference between Verified Enterprise and Approved Partner?
Verified Enterprise is for innovators and exporting brands: a profile in the Catalogue, Meet the Buyer access, masterclasses, Country Clinics and event access.
Approved Partner is for service providers: a company page in the Partner Catalogue, Meet the Expert access, and signposting of services to exporters.
I own or manage more than one brand. What happens?
We spotlight product brands in the Exporter Catalogue. If you're a multiple brand owner, all company listings will go in the relevant spaces in the Exporter Catalogue. If you're an export wholesaler or agent managing multiple brands, your listing goes in the Partner Catalogue.
Adding brands to the Exporter Catalogue costs £300+VAT per brand, per year. If you add three or more brands, your initial page listing is free.
Example: an agent paying for 3 brands in the Exporter Catalogue gets 3 brand pages and a free agent page.
Only brands in the Catalogue can participate in Meet the Buyer (MTB) events.
Contact us to get set up.
Payment and billing
How can I pay, and can you send me an invoice?
Pay by debit/credit card on the platform, monthly or annually. An invoice receipt is sent automatically on sign-up.
For multiple brands, if you need a PO, or want to pay for membership plus activities (such as in-person MTB), we can send an invoice directly. This applies to annual membership only.
Is pricing shown with or without VAT?
All prices are shown excluding VAT (i.e. +VAT).
Can I cancel anytime?
Membership is a recurring subscription. Monthly card billing can be cancelled anytime. Annual membership is non-refundable; cancellations end at the end of the term, at which point the account is deactivated and the brand page removed.
Any questions, requests or problems ⬇️
Team members
Can I add more Verified Enterprise team members?
Yes, Verified Enterprise membership covers up to five team members within your company. Nominate a Company Lead and add up to four colleagues across teams such as Export, Sales, Marketing, Technical, Operations and/or Finance. You can then amend named users as your team changes.
Can I add more Approved Partner team members?
Yes, Approved Partner membership covers up to two team members within your company. Nominate a Company Lead and add an extra colleague who can engage with businesses and opportunities across the community. You can then amend named users as your team changes.
Events
Is event access included, or an extra cost?
It varies by tier and event.
Verified Enterprise: Masterclasses & Live Podcasts, Country Clinics, Virtual Buyer Meetings and Export Festivals are included (RSVP in events). You can also apply to take part in International Showcases and Future of Food activities (additional costs may apply) and book your spot at our big Meet The Buyer event (additional cost applies). We will also add you to our Community “Ask Anything” WhatsApp group - send your mobile number to the team to be added.
Approved Partner: access to a Partner Catalogue Profile to showcase your services and contact details, opportunity to develop an exclusive offer with the team for promotion to the community, as well as share relevant news, insights and advice and access to our Community “Ask Anything” WhatsApp group to respond where your expertise can help. Access to contribute to our masterclasses and clinics where your expertise can help, selected partnership opportunities at our Meet The Buyer event and preferential partner rates when attending, contributing or exhibiting at Export Festivals is also available (additional costs apply).
How do I book onto Meet the Buyer or a Country Clinic?
Event information is all held within the Food Collaborative. As a member, you have full access to the Event Calendar and Meet the Buyer spaces in order to book your spot.
Support
What if I get stuck or have a question?
The FDEA team is here to help. Drop us an email below ⬇️
What if I've got an idea to improve the Collaborative?
Barney, Katie, Paul, Alice & Greg run the Collaborative day to day and welcome ideas. Just drop them a message at: