Terms of Use

1. Acceptance of Terms

By accessing, browsing, or using GrownLocal.ca (the "Platform"), you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms of Use and our Privacy Policy. If you do not agree to all of these terms, you must immediately stop using the Platform. These terms apply to all users including visitors, registered producers, and anyone else who accesses the Platform in any way.

2. Nature of the Platform — Directory Service Only

GrownLocal.ca is strictly an online directory and listing service. We provide a platform where food producers can advertise their existence and where consumers can discover those producers. We are not a retailer, marketplace, food distributor, broker, agent, or intermediary of any kind.

We do not:

• Sell, handle, distribute, or ship any food or products
• Facilitate, process, or participate in transactions between producers and consumers
• Inspect, certify, license, or regulate any producer, farm, or product
• Guarantee the availability, quality, safety, or legality of any listed product
• Act as an agent or representative of any producer

All transactions, sales, purchases, and arrangements between producers and consumers occur entirely outside this Platform and are solely between those parties.

3. No Verification of Producer Information

GrownLocal.ca does not verify, validate, inspect, audit, or certify any information submitted by producers. This includes but is not limited to:

• Business name, address, or contact information
• Product descriptions, ingredients, or claims
• Food safety practices, certifications, or licenses
• Organic, natural, free-range, or any other product claims
• Business registration or legal status
• Health, safety, or regulatory compliance

All information displayed on the Platform is provided solely by producers and is published as-is. You rely on this information entirely at your own risk.

4. Food Safety — Critical Disclaimer

GrownLocal.ca has no involvement in, control over, or responsibility for the production, handling, storage, transportation, preparation, or sale of any food or product listed on this Platform.

Consumers are solely responsible for:

• Conducting their own due diligence before purchasing any food product
• Verifying that any producer they contact holds all required licenses and certifications
• Ensuring that any food product purchased is safe for their specific dietary needs, allergies, and health conditions
• Complying with all applicable food safety laws when purchasing, transporting, and consuming products

Producers are solely responsible for:

• Complying with all federal, provincial, and municipal food safety laws and regulations
• Holding all required permits, licenses, and certifications
• Ensuring their products are safe for human consumption
• The accuracy of all product descriptions, ingredient lists, and claims
• Any harm, illness, injury, or death resulting from their products

GrownLocal.ca expressly disclaims all responsibility for any illness, injury, allergic reaction, death, financial loss, or other harm arising from the purchase, consumption, or use of any product discovered through this Platform.

5. Producer Representations and Warranties

By submitting a listing, each producer represents, warrants, and agrees that:

• All submitted information is accurate, complete, and not misleading
• They hold all permits, licenses, and certifications required by law to produce and sell their products
• Their products comply with all applicable federal, provincial, and municipal laws and regulations
• They have the right to use all photos, logos, and content submitted
• They will promptly update their listing if any information changes
• They will not make false, misleading, or unsubstantiated claims about their products
• They accept full and sole liability for any claims, losses, or damages arising from their products or listings

6. Disclaimer of Warranties

THE PLATFORM IS PROVIDED ON AN "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE" BASIS WITHOUT ANY WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO:

• Warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose
• Warranties that the Platform will be uninterrupted, error-free, or secure
• Warranties regarding the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any content
• Warranties that the Platform is free of viruses or harmful components

We make no representations about the suitability of the information on the Platform for any purpose.

7. Limitation of Liability

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, GROWNLOCAL.CA, ITS OWNERS, OPERATORS, EMPLOYEES, AGENTS, AND AFFILIATES SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY:

• Direct, indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages
• Loss of profits, revenue, data, goodwill, or other intangible losses
• Personal injury, illness, allergic reaction, or death arising from products discovered through the Platform
• Financial losses arising from transactions between users and producers
• Damages arising from inaccurate, incomplete, or misleading producer information
• Damages arising from unauthorized access to or alteration of your data

IN NO EVENT SHALL OUR TOTAL CUMULATIVE LIABILITY TO YOU EXCEED THE GREATER OF (A) THE AMOUNT YOU PAID US IN THE TWELVE MONTHS PRECEDING THE CLAIM, OR (B) ONE HUNDRED CANADIAN DOLLARS ($100 CAD).

8. Indemnification

You agree to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless GrownLocal.ca and its owners, operators, employees, agents, and affiliates from and against any and all claims, damages, losses, liabilities, costs, and expenses (including reasonable legal fees) arising out of or relating to: (a) your use of the Platform; (b) your violation of these Terms; (c) any content you submit to the Platform; (d) any product you sell or purchase through connections made via the Platform; (e) your violation of any law or the rights of any third party; or (f) any illness, injury, or harm caused by your products or actions.

9. Third-Party Interactions

Any interactions, communications, transactions, or disputes between users and producers are solely between those parties. GrownLocal.ca is not a party to any such interactions and has no obligation to become involved. You release GrownLocal.ca from all claims, demands, and damages of every kind arising out of or in any way connected with such interactions.

10. Prohibited Content and Conduct

You may not use the Platform to:

• Submit false, misleading, or fraudulent information
• Violate any applicable federal, provincial, or local law or regulation
• Infringe the intellectual property rights of any party
• Harass, threaten, or harm any person
• Distribute spam or unauthorized advertising
• Attempt to gain unauthorized access to the Platform or its systems
• Scrape, copy, or reproduce Platform content without permission
• List products that are illegal, stolen, counterfeit, or hazardous

11. Content and Intellectual Property

The GrownLocal.ca name, logo, design, and original content are our property and may not be used without written permission. By submitting a listing, you grant us a non-exclusive, royalty-free, worldwide licence to display, reproduce, and distribute your submitted content (including photos, business name, and descriptions) for the purpose of operating the Platform.

You represent that you own or have the right to use all content you submit, and that such content does not infringe any third-party rights.

12. Removal of Listings

We reserve the right, in our sole discretion and without notice or liability, to remove, suspend, or modify any listing or user access for any reason, including but not limited to violation of these Terms, receipt of complaints, or any conduct we deem harmful to the Platform or its users. Producers may request removal of their listing at any time by contacting hello@grownlocal.ca.

13. Changes to Terms

We reserve the right to modify these Terms at any time. Changes will be posted on this page with an updated date. For material changes, we will make reasonable efforts to notify registered producers by email. Your continued use of the Platform after any changes constitutes your acceptance of the updated Terms. It is your responsibility to review these Terms periodically.

14. Governing Law and Dispute Resolution

These Terms are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Province of Ontario and the federal laws of Canada applicable therein, without regard to conflict of law principles. Any dispute arising from these Terms or your use of the Platform shall be resolved exclusively in the courts located in Ontario, Canada, and you hereby consent to the personal jurisdiction of such courts.

15. Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found to be unenforceable or invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, that provision shall be limited or eliminated to the minimum extent necessary so that the remaining Terms shall otherwise remain in full force and effect.

16. Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy, constitute the entire agreement between you and GrownLocal.ca regarding your use of the Platform and supersede all prior agreements, understandings, and representations.

17. Contact

Questions about these Terms? Contact us at hello@grownlocal.ca.