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no payment until April 1st 2026

Submit the form below and receive early access to all 2026 OCCA benefits.

Payment isn’t due until April 1st 2026 .

The Ontario Craft Cider Association

Est. 2012

Over 40 members

Vision & Mission Statement

VISION STATEMENT

To support and promote the interests of Ontario Cider Producers and foster a sustainable cider industry within the province. OCCA acts as a vehicle to develop and promote the Craft Cider industry in Ontario and as an educational forum for the consumer as well as industry members. The association upholds the values of traditional cider making and draws from this heritage to create high quality and pure ciders.

MISSION STATEMENT

The Ontario Craft Cider Association’s (OCCA) mission is to support and promote the interests of Ontario Cider Producers and foster a sustainable cider industry within the province. OCCA acts as a vehicle to develop and promote the Craft Cider industry in Ontario and as an educational forum for the consumer as well as industry members. The association upholds the values of traditional cider making and draws from this heritage to create high quality and pure ciders.

Member Benefits

  • A clear, credible and consistent voice for Government Relations and Advocacy that drives real outcomes
  • Ongoing Dialogue with key retailers (LCBO, grocery, etc)
  • Education and Information exchange for members
  • Industry News and Updates
  • Valuable sales data and economic development impact reports
  • Voting rights at Annual General Meeting; eligibility to hold a position on the Board of Directors
  • Authorization to employ the Drink ON Apples logo on products and promotions
  • Focused marketing efforts through the multi-year, multi-million dollar Drink ON Apples Program including:
    • Premium listing on the Ontario Craft Cider Trail (link)
    • Mobile Sampling at Festivals and Events
    • LCBO in-stores and promotional plans
    • Participation at Industry Trade Shows
    • Media and Influencer Dinners, Tastings and FAM tours
    • Licensee activations
    • Print and digital advertising
    • Guest Experience Training and Retail signage
    • Consumer-facing website and newsletters

Membership Tiers

Membership Tier
Production (Litres)
Annual Membership Fee*

1

0  L – 13,999 L

435.00 + HST

2

14,000 L – 49,999 L

735.00 + HST

3

50,000 L – 149,999 L

1,890.00 + HST

4

150,000 L – 249,999 L

3,045.00 + HST

5

More than 250,000 L

4,200.00 + HST

6

Over 1,000,000 L

6,200.00 + HST

*Option to pay in two installments January and June

Please Complete and Submit

SECTION A

Marketing Information

Production Information

SECTION B - Agreements (please initial under each statement)

I hereby declare that the information provided by me on this form is true, complete and correct, to the best of my knowledge and belief. I understand that a false statement may be considered sufficient reason to withhold the authorization of the membership or to cancel or suspend any such membership if granted.

ATTACHMENTS


THE FINE PRINT

1. Eligible Producers:

Ontario Craft Cider/Cidery is defined as Hard cider produced from 100% Ontario grown apples or pears, as defined by the Ontario Apple Growers’ apple-producing districts. The finished product must be 85% Ontario grown apples/pears. (no artificial flavourings).

i. Juices from pressed apples/pears must contain a minimum specific gravity of 1.040. 

ii. Production must adhere to the Canadian Food & Drug Regulations B.02.120 and B. 02.122 with the exclusion of B.02.120 which states that cider may have added to it during the course of manufacture – concentrated apple juice. Ontario Craft Cider may have concentrated apple juice added provided that the concentrate is from 100% real Ontario apples/pears of local origin (ie. Ice Cider. Cryo-concentrated or cryo-extracted apple juice) 

iii. Must be produced in its entirety in a licensed facility in Ontario by an Ontario certified Craft Cidery. 

iv. Product must adhere to all other governing regulations in order to be sold commercially in Ontario 

v. Annual production of 2.5 million litres or less of cider sold in Ontario 

vi. Craft Cidery must be Canadian owned and operated 

vii. In order to be qualified as an estate cider, you must grow 100% of your apples that are used in the cider, as well as ferment on site. The final product blend must be 100% apple or pear juice. No sugar or flavours added. It can be single variety or blend, and must be vintage dated.

2. Once a complete membership application is received by the Secretary of the association it will be added to the agenda of the next available Board Meeting for review and approval. The applicant will be notified of the meeting date and again when the Board has reviewed the application and its decision. A register of membership will be maintained by Secretary. Each member shall be assigned a membership number associated with their year of joining.

3. Membership dues will be calculated and invoiced annually. Dues may be paid with post-dated cheques upon arrangement with accounting. If payment is not received after 9 months of issuance, the membership will be automatically nullified.

4. Inactive members must remove all OCCA references and/or Drink ON Apples logo use on any packaging or promotional materials within 3 months of cancelling your membership. Failure to do so will result in legal proceedings including an accounting for profits for the time period where OCCA benefit has been derived without membership status

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