Privacy Policy
Farmers’ Markets Ontario® (FMO) respects your privacy. This policy explains how we may collect, use and protect personal information when you visit our website, contact us, join a program or use our online services.
Information We Collect
You may provide personal information when you:
- Contact FMO or submit an online form
- Register for membership, a program or an event
- Subscribe to email communications
- Make a payment through the website
- Request information or support
The information collected will depend on how you interact with us and may include your name, contact information, organization or market affiliation, payment details and the contents of your message.
Our website may also collect limited technical information, such as your browser type, device information, IP address and pages visited, through cookies and similar technologies.
How We Use Your Information
FMO may use personal information to:
- Respond to questions and requests
- Process memberships, registrations and payments
- Provide programs, resources and member services
- Send administrative or service-related communications
- Share news, opportunities and promotional information when we have consent or are otherwise permitted to do so
- Maintain, understand and improve our website and services
- Meet legal, regulatory, financial and security requirements
We limit the collection and use of personal information to purposes that are appropriate and clearly communicated. Canadian privacy guidance requires organizations to explain these purposes in an understandable way and obtain meaningful consent where required.
How We Share Information
FMO does not sell or rent personal information.
We may share information with trusted service providers when necessary to operate our website, process payments, deliver programs or provide other requested services. These providers should receive only the information needed to perform their work.
Credit card and payment information may be handled by the financial institutions and payment-processing services required to complete a transaction. FMO does not disclose payment information for unrelated purposes.
We may also disclose information when required or permitted by law.
Cookies
Our website may use cookies and similar technologies to support website functions, remember preferences, understand how the site is used and improve the visitor experience.
You can adjust your browser settings to block or delete cookies. Some website features may not work properly when certain cookies are disabled.
Where cookies or similar technologies collect personal information, FMO will seek meaningful consent when required.
Email Communications
FMO may send information about farmers’ markets, programs, regulations, resources and opportunities to members and to people who have agreed to receive these communications.
Promotional emails will include a way to unsubscribe. Canada’s Anti-Spam Legislation generally requires commercial electronic messages to include sender identification and an unsubscribe mechanism, as well as consent where applicable.
You may still receive essential administrative messages related to an active membership, registration, payment or request.
Protecting and Retaining Information
FMO takes reasonable administrative, technical and physical measures to protect personal information against unauthorized access, use, loss or disclosure.
Personal information is retained only for as long as reasonably necessary to fulfil the purposes for which it was collected and to meet applicable legal, financial and operational requirements.
No method of electronic transmission or storage is completely secure, and FMO cannot guarantee absolute security.
Accessing or Correcting Your Information
You may contact FMO to ask about the personal information we hold about you or request a correction. We may need to confirm your identity before responding.
You may also withdraw your consent to certain uses of your information, subject to legal, contractual or operational restrictions.
Links to Other Websites
The FMO website may contain links to websites operated by other organizations. FMO does not control those websites and is not responsible for their content, security or privacy practices.
We encourage you to review the privacy policy of any external website you visit.
Changes to This Policy
FMO may update this Privacy Policy as its website, programs or information practices change. The revised version will be posted on this page with an updated effective date.
Contact FMO
Questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy or FMO’s handling of personal information can be directed to Farmers’ Markets Ontario®