Last updated: May 14, 2025

Thank you for visiting the Grains and Greens Kitchen (“we,” “us,” or “our”). This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and protect your personal data in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and applicable laws in Germany.

1. Who We Are

Website owner: Sarah L
Address: PO Box 12345, Berlin, Germany
Email: sarah@grainsandgreenskitchen.com
Website: https://grainsandgreenskitchen.com

This is a personal blog operated from Germany.

2. What Personal Data We Collect and Why

🔹 Comments

When visitors leave comments on the site, we collect the data shown in the comment form, as well as the visitor’s IP address and browser user agent string to help spam detection.

An anonymized string created from your email address (also called a hash) may be provided to the Gravatar service to check if you’re using it. The Gravatar service privacy policy is available at https://automattic.com/privacy/. After your comment is approved, your profile picture is publicly visible in the context of your comment.

If you leave a comment, you may choose to save your name, email address, and website in cookies. These are for your convenience, so you don’t have to re-enter them when posting another comment. These cookies last for one year.

🔹 Cookies

We use cookies to:

  • Ensure the site functions correctly (essential cookies)
  • Collect anonymous analytics (with your consent)
  • Enable social sharing (with your consent)
  • Remember user input (e.g., comment form details)

No non-essential cookies are set unless you explicitly accept them via the cookie banner. You can change your preferences anytime using the Cookie Settings at the bottom right corner of every page.

🔹 Analytics

We use Google Analytics 4 (GA4) to understand how visitors interact with our website. GA4:

  • Anonymizes IP addresses by default
  • Does not collect personal identifiers
  • Is only activated after cookie consent

Data is processed by Google in the EU and/or USA in accordance with applicable data protection laws.

🔹 Social Sharing Buttons

Our site uses Kadence’s built-in social sharing buttons, which may interact with third-party platforms (e.g. Pinterest, Facebook). These services may collect usage data if you engage with the buttons.
These features are only activated after cookie consent is given.

🔹 Email Newsletter

If you subscribe to our newsletter, we collect:

  • Your email address
  • Your first name

We use ConvertKit, a US-based email marketing service. Your data is stored and processed by ConvertKit under GDPR-compliant safeguards. You can view their Privacy Policy here.
You will only be subscribed after confirming via double opt-in, and may unsubscribe at any time via the link in any email.

🔹 Embedded Content

Articles on this site may include embedded content (e.g. videos, images, or articles).
Embedded content from other websites behaves the same as if you visited that website directly.

These external sites may collect data about you, use cookies, embed additional tracking, and monitor your interaction — especially if you’re logged in to those platforms.

🔹 Server Logs

The hosting server automatically logs technical data (e.g. IP address, browser type) for security and diagnostics. This data is not used to identify individuals.

🔹 Spam Detection

Visitor comments may be checked through an automated spam detection service (such as Akismet or equivalent), which processes the comment data to prevent abuse.

3. Legal Basis for Processing

We process your personal data on the following legal bases:

  • Consent (e.g. email subscription, cookies)
  • Legitimate interest (e.g. spam protection, website optimization)
  • Legal obligation (e.g. tax, security, or recordkeeping requirements)

4. Your Rights Under the GDPR

You have the right to:

  • Request access to your personal data
  • Request correction or deletion
  • Withdraw consent at any time
  • Request an export of your personal data (e.g. comment history)
  • Lodge a complaint with a data protection authority

Please contact us at sarah@grainsandgreenskitchen.com to exercise these rights.

5. Data Retention

  • Comment data is stored indefinitely unless you request removal.
  • Newsletter data is retained until you unsubscribe or request deletion.
  • Analytics data is retained according to Google’s default setting (14 months).

6. Where Your Data Is Sent

  • Comments may be checked by automated spam detection services.
  • Analytics data may be processed by Google in the EU or USA.
  • Email data is handled by ConvertKit in the USA under standard contractual clauses.

7. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy to reflect changes in law or services.
Latest version: May 14, 2025

8. Contact

If you have any questions or requests regarding your data, contact:
Sarah L
📬 PO Box 12345, Berlin, Germany
📧 sarah@grainsandgreenskitchen.com
🌐 https://grainsandgreenskitchen.com