Privacy Policy

INTRODUCTION

This Privacy Policy describes how Andrew Sterman collects, manages, shares, and protects your personal information when you access or interact with our website at http://www.welcomingfood.com (“Site”), including engagement with our recipes, food articles, newsletters, or social media accounts. In this policy, “personal information” means any data that identifies, describes, relates to, or could reasonably be associated with you or your household, either directly or indirectly, or any combination of data that could reasonably identify you or your household. This policy also details your rights concerning your personal information.

COLLECTION OF PERSONAL INFORMATION

1.1 Types of Personal Information We Collect
When you interact with our Site at http://www.welcomingfood.com (“Site”) or engage with our content, such as recipes, articles, newsletters, or social media, we may collect the following types of personal information, depending on your actions:

Identifiers: Your name, email address, or IP address when you subscribe to our newsletter, leave comments, or visit the Site. If you create an account (e.g., for commenting), this may include a username or password.
User-Generated Content: Comments, recipe feedback, or other submissions you post on the Site or share via our social media accounts.
Internet Activity Information: Data about your interaction with the Site, such as browsing history, pages viewed, time spent on the Site, referrer sites, browser type, device information, or engagement with our social media or advertisements, collected via cookies or analytics tools.
Profile Information: Inferences about your preferences, interests, or behavior based on your interactions with the Site, newsletter, or social media, used to tailor content or communications.

We do not collect sensitive information, such as financial or health data, unless you voluntarily provide it (e.g., dietary preferences in comments). We do not sell or use such information for commercial purposes beyond providing the Site’s content.

1.2 Sources of Collection
We collect personal information from the following sources:

Directly from You: Information you provide, such as when you sign up for our newsletter, post a comment, contact us, or engage with our social media accounts.
Automatically Collected Data: When you visit the Site or interact with our content or social media, we collect standard data using technologies like cookies, web beacons, or analytics tools. This includes your IP address, browser details, device type, access times, pages viewed, and interactions with our Site or advertisements.
Third-Party Sources: We may receive information from third-party platforms, such as social media (e.g., Instagram, TikTok) when you engage with our accounts, or from service providers (e.g., email platforms or analytics tools like Google Analytics) that support the Site’s operations. These providers may collect data on our behalf or allow us access to it, subject to their privacy policies.

1.3 How We Use Your Personal Information
We use your personal information for the following purposes:

To Provide and Enhance the Site: To deliver recipes, articles, newsletters, or other content, respond to comments, and improve the Site’s functionality and user experience.
To Communicate with You: To send newsletter updates, recipe highlights, or responses to your inquiries, and, with your consent, promotional content about the Site.
To Analyze and Personalize Content: To understand how users interact with the Site, using analytics to tailor content or newsletters based on preferences or behavior, subject to your consent where required.
To Moderate User Content: To manage comments or user submissions to ensure compliance with our Site Terms and prevent inappropriate content.
To Market the Site: To send marketing messages or display targeted ads (e.g., via social media or third-party sites) based on your interactions, with opt-out options available.
To Solicit Feedback: To invite you to provide feedback or participate in surveys to improve the Site’s content or user experience.
To Comply with Legal Obligations: To meet requirements under New York law, such as maintaining records or responding to legal processes.
To Protect Our Rights and Safety: To safeguard the Site, users, or others from fraud, intellectual property violations (e.g., unauthorized recipe reproduction), or security threats, including detecting scams or enforcing our Site Terms.

Non-Personal Information: We may anonymize or aggregate data so it no longer identifies you or your household and use it for any purpose, such as analyzing Site trends.
1.4 Legal Basis for Processing For users in regions requiring a legal basis for data processing (e.g., the European Union), we process personal information as follows:

Contractual Necessity: To provide requested services, such as delivering newsletters or managing comments, using information like your email or username. Failure to provide required information may prevent us from fulfilling these services.
Legitimate Interests: To operate and improve the Site, analyze user behavior, protect our intellectual property (e.g., recipes), and send relevant content, with safeguards to protect your privacy rights.
Consent: For non-essential cookies, targeted advertising, or marketing communications, we obtain your consent where required by law. You may withdraw consent at any time by adjusting cookie settings, unsubscribing from emails, or contacting us as described below.

INFORMATION SHARING AND INTERNATIONAL DATA TRANSFERS

2.1 Sharing Information for Site Operations
We may share the personal information we collect, as described in Section 1, with the following parties for purposes related to operating and promoting the Site:

Service Providers: We share personal information with third-party service providers who support the Site’s operations, such as website hosting, analytics (e.g., Google Analytics), email services, or social media management tools. These providers are contractually obligated to use your information only for the services they provide to us and to protect its confidentiality.
Marketing Partners: If you participate in contests, giveaways, or promotions, we may share your entry information (e.g., name, email) with disclosed third-party partners co-sponsoring the activity, subject to applicable legal requirements (e.g., disclosing contest winners to authorities). We may also share anonymized or aggregated data with marketing partners to deliver targeted ads (e.g., on social media or third-party sites), but only with your consent or opt-out rights as required by law.
Legal Authorities: We may disclose your information to law enforcement, courts, regulators, or government agencies in New York or elsewhere if required to comply with legal obligations, respond to legal processes, or protect our rights, your safety, or the safety of others (e.g., to address fraud or intellectual property violations, such as unauthorized recipe reproduction).
Business Transfers: If the Site or its assets are sold, merged, or transferred, your personal information may be shared with the acquiring entity. We will make reasonable efforts to ensure the recipient uses your information in accordance with this Privacy Policy.

2.2 New York Privacy Compliance
Under New York law, we are committed to protecting your personal information and do not sell it for monetary gain. However, certain practices, such as sharing data with third-party analytics or marketing providers for targeted advertising (e.g., based on your Site interactions), may be considered “sharing” under some privacy laws. You may opt out of such sharing by following the instructions in Section 4 below. For example, you can adjust cookie settings to limit tracking or unsubscribe from marketing communications.

2.3 Third-Party Interactions at Your Direction
If you engage with third-party services linked on the Site, such as social media platforms (e.g., Instagram, Pinterest) or external contest platforms, you may provide personal information directly to those third parties or authorize us to share it on your behalf. Such information is governed by the third party’s privacy policy, which you should review before sharing data. For instance, comments or interactions on our social media accounts are subject to the respective platform’s privacy terms.

2.4 International Data Transfers
Some recipients of your personal information (e.g., service providers like analytics or email platforms) may be located outside your jurisdiction, including in countries that may not offer the same level of data protection as New York. We implement appropriate safeguards, such as contractual agreements, to ensure your information is protected during such transfers. For details on these safeguards, contact us at hello@welcomingfood.com.

YOUR RIGHTS REGARDING YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION

3.1 Your Privacy Rights
Depending on applicable laws, including New York’s data protection regulations and, where relevant, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) for EU users, you may have the following rights regarding your personal information:

Access/Data Portability: Request a copy of the personal information we hold about you, in a portable and usable format.
Correction: Request that we correct inaccurate or incomplete information about you.
Deletion: Request that we delete your personal information, subject to legal exceptions (e.g., record-keeping requirements).
Restriction of Processing: Request that we limit how we process (e.g., collect, use, or share) your personal information, under certain conditions.
Objection to Processing: Object to our use of your personal information for specific purposes, such as marketing, under certain circumstances.
Opt-Out of Sharing: Opt out of sharing your personal information for targeted advertising or analytics purposes, such as by disabling non-essential cookies or unsubscribing from marketing emails.
Withdraw Consent: Withdraw consent for any processing based on your consent (e.g., newsletter subscriptions or cookies) at any time by contacting us or using opt-out mechanisms.
File a Complaint: Lodge a complaint with a data protection authority, such as New York’s relevant regulatory body or, for EU users, your local authority.

3.2 Non-Discrimination
We will not discriminate against you for exercising your privacy rights, such as by denying access to the Site, altering content quality, or imposing penalties.

3.3 Exercising Your Rights
To exercise any of these rights, contact us at hello@welcomingfood.com. We will respond within the timeframes required by applicable law (e.g., 45 days under some privacy regulations). For New York residents, you may request details about:

Categories of personal information collected in the past 12 months.
Sources from which we collected your information.
Categories of third parties with whom we shared your information and the purposes of sharing.

ADDITIONAL DISCLOSURES

4.1 New York Privacy Practices
Under New York law, we do not share your personal information with third parties for their own direct marketing purposes unless you explicitly consent. For example, we will not provide your email address to unrelated businesses for their marketing campaigns without your permission.

4.2 Do Not Track Signals
The Site does not currently respond to browser “Do Not Track” signals, as no universal standard for these signals exists. However, you can opt out of targeted advertising or data sharing for analytics purposes by adjusting cookie settings or following the opt-out instructions in Section 4, which may include recognizing Global Privacy Control signals where applicable.

4.3 Children’s Privacy
The Site is intended for users aged 18 and older. We do not knowingly collect or share personal information from individuals under 18 without verifiable parental consent for those under 13. If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has provided personal information, please contact us at hello@welcomingfood.com to request its removal.

4.4 Newsletter and Promotional Offers
You may choose to subscribe to our newsletter or receive tailored content by providing your name, email address, or other contact details. There is no obligation to opt in, and you can unsubscribe at any time by following the instructions in our emails. Occasionally, we may offer incentives, such as discounts on partner products or entry into giveaways, for signing up for or remaining on our newsletter list, participating in surveys, or engaging with our content. Details of any such offers will be provided in the program terms.
These incentives aim to enhance your experience with the Site and provide relevant content, such as new recipes or food tips. We do not assign a specific monetary value to your personal information, but any value derived from these programs comes from increased engagement, improved content delivery, and analytics that help us understand user preferences. Costs associated with these programs include marketing efforts, data management, and any rewards offered.

4.5 Data Retention
We retain your personal information only as long as necessary for the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy, such as delivering newsletters, responding to comments, or analyzing Site usage. We may also retain information to comply with New York legal requirements, maintain records, or address any outstanding claims or complaints. Once no longer needed, your information is securely deleted or anonymized.

4.6 Data Security
We employ reasonable technical and organizational measures to protect your personal information from unauthorized access, loss, or misuse, such as secure website hosting and encryption for data transmission where applicable. We regularly review these measures to maintain data security. However, no online platform is completely secure, and you are responsible for safeguarding any account credentials.

4.7 Updates to This Privacy Policy
We may revise this Privacy Policy to reflect changes in our practices or legal obligations. Updates will be posted on the Site with a new effective date. If you are subscribed to our newsletter, we may notify you directly of significant changes. If revisions materially affect how we collect or use your personal information, we will provide you the opportunity to consent, request data deletion, or ensure the changes apply only to data collected after the update.

CONTACT US

Cookie Policy

We use cookies to support core website functionality, improve performance, and provide marketing insights. Some cookies are essential to the functioning of this site — for example, those that help with security, session management, and remembering language preferences. We also use third-party cookies, including from Google (Analytics 4), TikTok, and Meta (Facebook/Instagram), to better understand how visitors use our site and to tailor content or advertisements accordingly. In regions where legally required, these cookies only activate with your prior consent. You can adjust your cookie preferences at any time using our banner settings. Please note that disabling some cookies may impact your experience of the site.

We may also collect limited demographic information such as your country, city, gender, and date of birth through Meta's Conversions API (CAPI), which helps us better understand who is visiting our site and how our content is performing. This data is used solely for website analytics, audience insights, and advertising performance measurement. While none of this data directly identifies you on its own, it may be associated with other anonymous identifiers to deliver more relevant content or improve marketing effectiveness. This information is processed in accordance with applicable data protection laws, and we do not share or sell this data outside of our analytics and advertising platforms. Where required by law, we request your consent before collecting and processing this data.

Necessary (Always Active)

Necessary cookies are required to enable the basic features of this site, such as providing secure log-in or adjusting your consent preferences. These cookies do not store any personally identifiable data.

Cookie	Duration	Description
wordpress_logged_in_*	194 days	Maintains WordPress logged-in user sessions and authentication.
wordpress_sec_*	188 days	WordPress security cookie for logged-in users.
wordpress_test_cookie	Session	Checks if the browser supports cookies for WordPress functionality.
__Host-1PLSID	2026-08-19	Maintains Google login session security and core functions across Google services.
__Host-3PLSID	2026-08-19	Maintains Google login session security and core functions across Google services.
__Host-GAPS	399 days	Maintains Google login session security and core functions across Google services.
__Secure-1PAPISID	399 days	Google account security and authentication cookies.
__Secure-1PSID, __Secure-1PSIDCC, __Secure-1PSIDTS, __Secure-3PAPISID, __Secure-3PSID, __Secure-3PSIDCC, __Secure-3PSIDTS	399 days	Google account security and authentication cookies.

Functional

Functional cookies help perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collecting feedback, and other third-party features.

Cookie	Duration	Description
wp_lang	Session	Stores the user's language preference for WordPress interface.
wp-settings-*	75 days	WordPress user interface settings cookie for personalization.
wp-settings-time-*	36 days	Timestamp for WordPress user interface settings.
ttwid	132 days	TikTok user identifier cookie for account-related functional features.
uid_tt_ss	73 days	TikTok user identifier for session functionality.

Analytical

Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics such as the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.

Cookie	Duration	Description
_ga	2026-08-19	Google Analytics user ID.
_ga_*	399 days	Google Analytics tracking cookie for specific user sessions.
ttcsid	57 days	TikTok session identifier used for analytics.
_tt_enable_cookie	389 days	Enables TikTok analytics tracking on the website.
ttcsid_*	78 days	TikTok session identifier used for analytics.

Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with customised advertisements based on the pages you visited previously and to analyse the effectiveness of the ad campaigns.

Cookie	Duration	Description
_fbp	89 days	Facebook tracking cookie used to deliver targeted ads and track conversions.
tt-target-idc-sign	530 days	TikTok advertising cookie used to track and target ads.
tta_attr_id_mirror	50 days	TikTok advertising attribute cookie for user tracking.
ttwid	2026-07-15	TikTok visitor ID.
uid_tt*	70 days	TikTok unique user ID cookie used for ad targeting.
__Secure-SID, PAPISID, *SIDCC	2026	Google Ads targeting and personalization cookies.
uid_tt_ads	74 days	TikTok advertising unique user ID cookie.
uid_tt_ss_ads	77 days	TikTok advertising session user ID cookie.