Effective Date: May 19, 2026
Website: CottageKitchenFinder.com
Cottage Kitchen Finder (“CKF,” “we,” “our,” or “us”) respects your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect, how we use it, and what choices you have when using our website.
Cottage Kitchen Finder is designed to help people discover cottage food sellers, farmers markets, local producers, farm stands, U-pick farms, seasonal foods, and related community food resources.
Information We Collect
We may collect information you choose to provide when you use forms or features on our website, including:
- Your name
- Email address
- Phone number, if provided
- Business or organization name
- Market or merchant information
- Website or social media links
- Address or location information for public listings
- Messages submitted through contact forms
- Market correction or suggestion submissions
- Claim requests for market or business listings
- Newsletter or email update signup information
- Other information you voluntarily submit
We may also collect basic technical information automatically, such as:
- IP address
- Browser type
- Device type
- Pages visited
- Referring pages
- Date and time of visits
- General website activity
This information helps us operate, secure, improve, and understand use of the website.
Public Listing Information
Some information submitted to CKF may be displayed publicly if it is part of a market, merchant, producer, farm stand, U-pick, or local food listing.
Public listing information may include:
- Business or market name
- Public description
- City, state, parish/county, or service area
- Public website or social media links
- Public contact preferences
- Market schedule or seasonal availability
- Products or categories offered
- Food assistance program information for markets, when available
- Photos or images submitted for public display
We try to separate public listing information from private administrative contact information. However, if you submit information intended for public display, it may appear on the website.
Private Contact Information
Some contact information may be used for administrative purposes only and may not be displayed publicly unless you choose to make it public.
This may include:
- Claim request contact information
- Correction form submitter information
- Private owner or manager email addresses
- Internal notes used to verify or update listings
- Messages sent through contact or support forms
CKF may use this information to respond to requests, verify listings, process corrections, manage claims, prevent abuse, or improve listing accuracy.
Contact Forms and Messages
If you submit a contact form, correction form, claim request, or support message, we may use the information you provide to respond to you and handle your request.
We may keep records of these messages for administrative, security, quality control, and audit purposes.
Email Updates
If you sign up for CKF email updates, we may use your email address to send occasional updates about the website, local food resources, new features, or related CKF information.
CKF intends email updates to be low frequency. You may unsubscribe or ask to be removed from email updates.
We do not sell email addresses.
Outreach and Listing Verification
CKF may contact market managers, local food organizations, government program contacts, agriculture departments, Extension offices, food coalitions, or other relevant organizations to request help verifying or improving local food information.
Outreach information may be gathered from public sources, submitted information, or organizational websites. CKF uses this information to improve listing accuracy, invite participation, and help make local food resources easier to find.
Cookies and Analytics
CKF may use cookies or similar technologies to help the website function, improve user experience, understand traffic, and protect the site from abuse.
We may use analytics or security tools that collect general website usage information. These tools may help us understand which pages are visited, how users find the site, and where improvements are needed.
You may be able to control cookies through your browser settings.
How We Use Information
We may use information to:
- Operate and maintain the website
- Create, update, review, or manage listings
- Respond to messages or support requests
- Process market corrections or suggestions
- Review claim requests
- Improve search, listings, and user experience
- Send requested email updates
- Prevent spam, fraud, abuse, or security problems
- Maintain internal records and audit trails
- Improve accuracy of local food and market information
- Comply with legal obligations
How We Share Information
We do not sell personal information.
We may share information only when reasonably necessary, such as:
- With service providers that help operate the website, email, hosting, security, analytics, or similar services
- When information is intended for public listing display
- When needed to respond to your request or process a listing claim
- When required by law, legal process, or to protect the rights, safety, or security of CKF, users, or the public
- In connection with website maintenance, security, backups, or technical support
Third-Party Links
CKF may link to third-party websites, including farmers markets, merchants, government agencies, food assistance programs, local food organizations, social media pages, or other resources.
We are not responsible for the privacy practices, content, accuracy, or policies of third-party websites. Please review the privacy policies of any third-party sites you visit.
Food Assistance Information
CKF may publish information about whether certain markets appear to accept or support programs such as EBT, SNAP, WIC/FMNP, Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program, Double Up Food Bucks, Produce Perks, Market Match, or similar programs.
This information is intended as a helpful public resource. Program availability, eligibility, rules, and participation may change. Shoppers should confirm directly with the market, program administrator, or official source before relying on the information.
CKF does not determine eligibility for food assistance programs and does not collect benefit account information.
Security
We take reasonable steps to protect information submitted through the website. However, no website, email system, or online service can guarantee complete security.
Please do not submit sensitive personal information through CKF forms unless it is specifically requested and necessary.
Children’s Privacy
CKF is not intended for children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe a child has submitted personal information to CKF, please contact us so we can review and remove it if appropriate.
Your Choices
You may contact us to:
- Ask about information you submitted
- Request correction of inaccurate information
- Request removal from email updates
- Request review or removal of a listing you manage
- Report inaccurate public listing information
- Ask privacy-related questions
We may need to verify your request before making changes.
Data Retention
We may retain information for as long as needed to operate the website, maintain listings, respond to requests, preserve audit trails, prevent abuse, comply with legal obligations, or support CKF’s administrative records.
Some public listing information may remain visible until it is corrected, removed, archived, or replaced.
Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we do, we will update the effective date at the top of this page.
Continued use of the website after changes are posted means you accept the updated policy.
Contact Us
For privacy questions, correction requests, or support issues, contact:
Cottage Kitchen Finder
Email: support@cottagekitchenfinder.com
Website: CottageKitchenFinder.com
