Shipping, Return, and Credit Policies
At Foundation Foods, we aim to keep things simple, fair, and easy to work with. Our goal is always to provide great service and clear communication, while setting straightforward expectations that help everything run smoothly for both sides. Please reach out to us with questions or feedback!
Ordering & Delivery
Shipping Costs & Delivery Days
Please refer to our Wholesale Delivery Schedule for delivery days and order deadlines based on your location.
Shipping charges are calculated at checkout and based on product type and destination. Please see our Customer Shipping Rates page for full details about our shipping rates.
Certain items may incur higher shipping costs due to weight, size, fragility, or temperature requirements.
Temperature-controlled items are packed in curbside-recyclable insulation with reusable ice packs and shipped with a maximum 3-day transit time.
We do not offer international shipping.
Inventory & Out-of-Stocks
We do our best to maintain accurate inventory, but availability may vary. Please see our Stock Management Page for full details about our inventory policies.
Out-of-stock items will not be billed. We do not backorder items unless requested.
If you would like an out-of-stock item backordered, please email us at orders@foundationfoods.com and we will discuss on an case-by-case basis.
Payment Terms & Account Standing
Invoices are due according to the agreed payment terms.
If a balance becomes past due, the following may apply:
- Past Due: Accounts may be placed on hold until payment is received.
- 30+ Days Past Due: Accounts may be moved to prepaid terms for future orders until brought current.
- Ongoing Issues: Repeated late payments may result in revised payment terms or account review.
- 90+ Days Past Due: Accounts may be subject to additional collection steps or account closure if the balance remains unresolved
We aim to work with our retail partners and communicate proactively. If you anticipate a delay in payment, please reach out to us.
Foundation Foods reserves the right to suspend shipments, modify terms, or require prepayment at its discretion.
Special Orders
Foundation Foods operates a curated catalog and does not accommodate one-time special orders for products outside of our current assortment.
In order for us to bring in a new product, we typically need consistent demand across multiple retail partners, not just a single request.
We are always open to product suggestions and are happy to evaluate new items for potential addition to our catalog.
In select cases, we may be able to accommodate seasonal or limited-time requests with sufficient lead time and interest from multiple accounts.
New Store First Time Shipping Policy
Timing & Prepayment for Larger Orders
We do our best to ship first-time orders during the week they are placed, as long as they are submitted by the regular weekly order deadline.
First-time orders over $1,750 require prepayment and may need up to one additional week so we can coordinate payment and inventory.
Free Shipping Introductory Deal Exclusions
New stores receive free shipping on their first three orders, with no order minimum required. This applies to customers in our ‘local states’ shipping zone only: CA, NV, UT, & AZ. Additionally, items classified as Heavy Beverages may be removed from the order if free shipping is applied and the order is below our standard minimum order size.
Stock Availability for New Store Orders
Our normal stock management procedures apply to first-time orders. We will do our best to ship your first order in full, but unavailable items may be removed. If you would like us to hold your order until it is 100% fulfilled, please let us know by email.
Delivery Issues
Damages, Mis-picks & Other Shipping Errors
Any items damaged in transit, mis-picked by our team, or shipped in error must be reported within 2 business days of delivery.
Please email photos of the damaged items to service@foundationfoods.com. Claims submitted after this window may not be eligible for credit. Thank you for understanding!
Short-Dated Product at Time of Delivery
Items that arrive short-dated may be eligible for return.
As a general guideline:
- Shelf-stable items: considered short-dated within 2 weeks of expiration
- Perishable items: considered short-dated within 1 week of expiration
To request a return, please email service@foundationfoods.com with product details, quantities, expiration dates, and photos (if applicable).
If approved, we will arrange pickup on your next delivery day. Credit will be issued once the product is received and reviewed.
All requests are subject to review and approval at the sole discretion of Foundation Foods.
Returns & Credits
Voluntary Product Returns
All voluntary return requests must be submitted within 2 business days of delivery. All voluntary return requests are subject to review and approval at the sole discretion of Foundation Foods.
Customer Credit Returns for Wellness Items (Pass Through Credits)
Credit requests related to wellness products that originate from end-customer returns must include sufficient documentation to be eligible for credit.
To qualify, a PDF credit slip or equivalent documentation is required and must include:
- Reason for return (if available)
- Lot number and expiration date
Requests that do not include this information may not be eligible for credit.
Eligibility may vary by vendor or brand based on each vendor’s individual policies. We are happy to confirm eligibility upon request.
All refund, credit, or replacement requests are subject to review and approval at the sole discretion of Foundation Foods.
Unsold, Excess, or Expiring Product Policy
Credit requests for excess, expiring, or otherwise unsold products are only considered for items within approximately one week before or after the expiration date (up to two weeks total). Requests submitted outside of this timeframe may be denied.
Credits are not guaranteed for unwanted, excess, or unsold inventory. Retailers with repeated over-ordering or expiration-related credit requests may be denied future credits.
Credits may also be declined due to improper storage, failure to follow first-expiring-first-out (FEFO) practices, or other inventory mismanagement.
Eligibility may vary by vendor or brand based on guaranteed sale terms and the product’s original shelf life. We are happy to confirm eligibility upon request.
All refund, credit, or replacement requests are subject to review and approval at the sole discretion of Foundation Foods. We aim to handle these situations fairly and work with our retail partners whenever possible.
