I don’t think I qualify for membership but I like food and I like to write. These people make a living at it! They’ve got a great resource too called “FOODSPELL.” It’s a guide to spelling those difficult food words like “Szechuan,” which can be spelled several different way. You can order it from their website. They’ve also got an annual conference coming up in San Francisco in September.
The Association of Food Journalists, Inc., is a networking system especially created for journalists who devote most of their working time to planning and writing food copy for news media worldwide.
AFJ’s primary goal is to encourage communication among food journalists. In addition, AFJ tries to increase members’ knowledge of food and to sharpen their writing, design and broadcast skills. The group also strives to foster professional standards among its members and other members of the media.
BEGINNINGS
AFJ was formed in 1974 as the Newspaper Food Editors and Writers Association, Inc. At that time, many food editors voiced a desire for a professional association that addressed the common needs and goals of food journalists. The organization grew quickly.
The group changed its name to the Association of Food Journalists, Inc., in 1994 to better reflect its diverse membership.
Today, AFJ has more than 275 members from the United States and Canada as well as other countries. There are members from most metropolitan and smaller daily newspapers, magazines, broadcast companies and online services in the United States and Canada. In addition, free-lance food writers, cookbook authors and syndicated columnists are also members.