Long Island Food Council

What Long Island Food Council does

The Long Island Food Council (LIFC) is a private membership-based networking organization serving the food and beverage industry on Long Island, New York. Founded in 2016 and structured as The Long Island Food Council, LLC, the organization operates as an information hub, industry advocate, and catalyst for networking among food and beverage producers, service providers, non-profits, students, and start-ups across the region.

LIFC's core offerings include tiered annual membership programs (priced $99–$500 depending on member type), three-tier event sponsorship packages ($1,500–$5,000), monthly round table meetings, the annual Summer Celebration event, a Job Center for industry employment, an on-demand Webinar Series, and curated business resources. The technology layer is conventional: a WordPress-based website with member portal access, social media presence across five major platforms, and an Eventbrite integration for event registration. No proprietary technology, AI capabilities, or software products were identified.

The organization generates revenue primarily through recurring membership dues, event sponsorships, and ancillary event/job board fees. Its go-to-market is community-led, relying on events, word-of-mouth, and digital channels to acquire and retain members. LIFC has built partnerships with state and regional bodies including NYS Agriculture and Markets, Cornell Cooperative Extension, Suffolk County Food Policy Council, Empire State Development, and Island Harvest Food Bank, positioning itself as a convener and grant conduit for the local food economy.

Name

Long Island Food Council

Legal name

The Long Island Food Council, LLC

Website

https://longislandfoodcouncil.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Long Island Food Council is a private membership-based networking organization that connects food and beverage producers, service providers, and start-ups across Long Island through events, educational programs, and industry advocacy.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Port Washington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: The organization generates revenue through annual membership fees charged at different tiers based on business type (start-ups, food/beverage companies, service businesses, non-profits, students) with pricing ranging from $99 for first-year start-ups to $500 for corporate food/beverage members.
2. Sponsorship Revenue: The council sells sponsorship opportunities at Gold ($5,000), Silver ($2,500), and Virtual ($1,500) tiers, providing brand recognition, event access, and marketing benefits to sponsors in the food and beverage industry.
3. Event Revenue: Revenue generated from event participation including vendor fees and non-member meeting attendance fees ($25 per meeting for non-members).
4. Job Board Fees: Nominal fee of $25 for non-members to post job listings for 30 days; free for members and job seekers.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Long Island Food Council operates as a membership-based networking organization and advisory hub for the Long Island food and beverage industry. It provides tiered membership programs, monthly round table meetings, educational forums, sponsorship packages, a job center, webinars, and business resources connecting food producers, manufacturers, restaurants, retailers, and service providers across the region.

Product overview

Long Island Food Council is a networking organization offering a platform for food and beverage industry connection and growth. The core offerings include tiered Membership Programs providing access to networking events and industry resources, Sponsorship Opportunities at three levels, and recurring Round Table Meetings featuring expert speakers. The organization hosts the annual Summer Celebration event and maintains a Job Center for industry employment. Additional resources include an on-demand Webinar Series and archived Round Table Shared Material. The organization serves startups through established corporations across the food and beverage value chain including manufacturers, restaurants, retailers, and service providers.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Membership Programs Tiered annual membership programs providing food and beverage industry professionals access to networking events, educational forums, round table meetings, grant opportunities, social media presence, legislative updates, and business resources.
• Sponsorship Opportunities Three-tier sponsorship packages (Gold $5,000, Silver $2,500, Virtual $1,500) providing brand recognition, event tickets, marketing exposure, and keynote/panelist opportunities at council events for food and beverage industry partners.
• Round Table Meetings Monthly networking meetings featuring industry expert speakers, panel discussions, and peer-to-peer business advice sessions held at member venues across Long Island for food and beverage industry members.
• Summer Celebration Event Annual rooftop networking celebration featuring food and beverage vendor showcases, industry connections, and community building for Long Island's food industry, scheduled for July 21, 2026.
• Job Center Job posting and candidate matching platform connecting food and beverage companies with qualified job seekers in the Long Island region, free for members and job seekers, $25 for non-members per 30-day posting.
• LIFC Webinar Series On-demand educational webinars covering industry topics, business strategies, regulatory compliance, and professional development for food and beverage businesses.
• Business Resources Curated collection of Long Island business resources including economic impact reports, opportunity zones, funding opportunities, workplace diversity data, commercial real estate advisor connections, and residential relocation information.

Quantifiable outcome

• Members have received thousands of dollars in grants through council connections
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• NYS Agriculture and MarketscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Department promotes New York agriculture and its products, fosters agricultural environmental stewardship, and safeguards the State's food supply. The council works with the department to provide updates and resources to members on state policies and programs affecting the food industry.
• Island Harvest Food BankcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeading hunger-relief organization that provides food and resources to people in need. The council partners for community service opportunities and Stamp Out Hunger food drives.
• Suffolk County Food Policy CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal government council focused on food policy in Suffolk County. Partnership provides regulatory and policy guidance for council members.
• Nassau County IDAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustrial Development Agency providing economic development resources and incentives for businesses locating or expanding in Nassau County.
• FuzeHubminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerManufacturing and Technology Resource Consortium partner providing funding opportunities and business development resources.
• Empire State DevelopmentminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNew York State's chief economic development agency providing resources and Opportunity Zone information for businesses.
• National GridminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEnergy company sponsoring council events and providing resources for manufacturing and industrial members.
• SBDC (Small Business Development Center)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides small business consulting, training, and research to help entrepreneurs start and grow their businesses.
• Cornell Cooperative Extension of Nassau CountycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOperates the Taste NY Market at the Long Island Welcome Center and hosts educational events on food safety and industry topics.
• MTRC (Manufacturing and Technology Resource Consortium)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdvisory board membership connecting council to manufacturing resources and grant programs including Cares Act Grants.
• Choose Long IslandminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRegional tourism and economic development organization promoting Long Island businesses and attractions.
• IgniteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBusiness development organization providing resources and connections for Long Island companies.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Naturally New York: Regional trade association for natural products and food/beverage brands in the New York area. Closely comparable membership model, regional focus, and emphasis on networking, education, and member growth resources for emerging food brands.
• New York State Restaurant Association: Statewide trade association representing restaurants and foodservice operators. Comparable to LIFC as a membership-based industry advocacy and networking body, though at the state level rather than regional.

Regional players

• Long Island Farm Bureau: Regional agricultural membership organization serving Long Island farmers and producers. Comparable in regional scope and member services, though focused upstream on agriculture rather than the full food and beverage value chain.
• Hudson Valley Food & Beverage Network: Networking organization supporting food and beverage entrepreneurs and producers in the Hudson Valley region of New York. Closely analogous to LIFC's regional networking, education, and community-building model, but in an adjacent New York geography.

Broad incumbents

• Specialty Food Association: National trade association for specialty food and beverage makers, offering networking, education, and the Fancy Food Show. Operates at broader national scale but with a similar membership-based advocacy and resource model for food producers.

Others

• Choose New York / Taste NY: New York State agriculture and food promotion program under which LIFC hosts events. Related as a state-level marketing and promotion partner rather than a peer organization.
• Edible Long Island: Regional food media brand covering Long Island's food and beverage scene. Serves as a complementary platform that connects the same audience LIFC targets and shares a community-building function.
• Island Harvest Food Bank: Long Island hunger-relief nonprofit and existing LIFC partner. Tangentially related as a community food organization and event collaborator rather than a direct competitor.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/search?q=the%20long%20island%20food%20council&src=typd
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCsdn-kNlZBkIslCLKbfO37A
• Facebookfacebook.com/LIFoodCouncil
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/long-island-food-council
• Instagraminstagram.com/lifoodcouncil

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Long Island Food Council