Privacy Policy

The American Culinary Federation (ACF) respects the privacy of its members and other visitors to its website. ACF strongly believes that consumers must be assured that information provided online is used responsibly and appropriately. To protect online privacy, ACF has implemented the following policy.

What Information Does ACF Collect?

Most data ACF collects is used only to help ACF better serve its members. It is our general policy to collect and store only personal information that our members and visitors knowingly provide. If our privacy policies change, we will notify all users by announcement placed on the ACF website.

From General Users.

ACF does not collect any personal information from users browsing its Web site. Users to the public areas of ACF's Web site browse anonymously. Only aggregate data--such as the number of hits per page--are collected. Aggregate data are only used for internal and marketing purposes and do not provide any personally identifying information.

From ACF Members.

To gain access to members-only resources on the ACF Web site, members are asked to register, providing limited information which is already stored in ACF's offline membership database. This data is submitted voluntarily. ACF asks users to provide their member number and chapter identification. This in conjunction with web server information is utilized to temporarily track the member's web session until the member, by their own actions, logs out or until a period of inactivity when the web server automatically logs out the member. At log out, all identifying information is erased from both the web server and the member's computer.

From ACF Members, Conference Registrants, and Other Customers.

Various items of information may be submitted to ACF through membership applications, conference or seminar registration, publication orders, subscriptions, and contest registrations. ACF only uses this information to enhance its products and distribution of those products to its members and customers. This information is distributed only in accordance with ACF's established bylaws for membership lists and convention attendee lists.

How Does ACF Use Data Collected?

ACF uses information voluntarily submitted by members and other customers in the following ways:

ACF Member Services and Products.

Generally, ACF uses data collected to improve its own Web content; to respond to visitors' interests, needs and preferences; and to develop new products and services.

Disclosures to Third Parties.

ACF also makes member contact information available through the various ACF online directories to others using its Web site when said members have agreed to serve voluntarily on the committees, groups, etc. that are listed on the directories. In addition, ACF incorporates information users provide into hard copies of the Membership Directory that it sells to requesters in accordance with established bylaws.

Users may request ACF to refrain from disclosing the data it collects to third parties by email to computerservices@acfchefs.net.

Credit Card Account Information.

ACF does not disclose credit card account information provided by its members and customers. When members and customers choose to pay using their credit cards, the credit card information is submitted directly to an appropriate credit card bank-approved clearinghouse (Verisign) through their website. No credit card information is passed through ACF's website.

How Does ACF Use Cookies?

Cookies are files that contain information created by a web server that can be stored on a User's hard disk for use either during a particular session ("per-session" cookie) or for future use ("persistent" cookie). ACF uses cookies only to facilitate members-only features. Cookies are not used to disseminate significant information about Users over the Internet or to analyze any information that Users have knowingly or unknowingly provided. When a member logs in, the system creates a session cookie and stores it on the member's computer to enable the member to access member only functions for that specific session of web browsing.

Users may instruct their Internet browsers to opt out of accepting cookies, but they will not have access to the full benefits of the website offered to ACF members.

What Privacy Issues Arise With Links To Other Sites?

This Web site contains links to other web sites. ACF has no control over and is not responsible for the privacy policies or content of such sites.

What Means Of Redress Are Available?

If any User suspects ACF has handled its personal information in a manner that does not comply with this privacy statement, please contact us by e-mailing to computerservices@acfchefs.net or by writing to us at the address below:

American Culinary Federation, Inc.
180 Center Place Way
St. Augustine, FL 32095
(800) 624-9458 / (904) 824-4468
Fax: (904) 825-4758