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Frequently asked questions

Clear answers for customers ordering local homemade food and for home cooks running a storefront on LocalFeast. Jump to a topic below or search this page with your browser (Ctrl+F or ⌘F).

Ordering & browsing

How to discover cooks, build your cart, and check out.

How do I order from a local cook?
Create an account or sign in, browse cooks near you (or search by area), open a cook’s storefront, and add items to your cart. At checkout you’ll choose a pickup or delivery time slot if the cook offers them, enter your details, and pay using the methods that cook accepts—card (when enabled), cash on pickup/delivery, Venmo, Zelle, or Cash App. Complete your order before any cutoff the cook sets.
How do I find cooks near me?
Use the Browse page with your location or enter a city or ZIP. You’ll see cooks who serve your area. Filters help narrow by dietary tags (e.g. vegan, gluten-free), cuisine, or keywords so you can match what you’re craving.
Do I need an account to order?
Yes—you’ll sign in so we can send order updates, receipts, and support you if something goes wrong. It also lets you see past orders and saved details where available.
What is a time slot?
Many cooks prepare in batches and hand off food at set windows. A time slot is the pickup or delivery window you select—so the cook knows when to have your order ready and when you’ll arrive or expect delivery.
Why can’t I see any available slots?
The cook may be full for that day, only open certain days, or not have published slots yet. Try another date, another cook, or check back—their schedule updates as they add capacity.
What’s an order deadline?
Some cooks close ordering before the pickup or delivery day so they can shop and prep. If you see a deadline, place your order before it passes; after that, that slot or menu may no longer be available.
Can I order from more than one cook at once?
Each cook runs their own storefront and checkout. To order from two cooks, complete two separate orders—each will have its own payment and pickup or delivery details.
How do I leave a review?
After you’ve ordered, use the cook’s profile or your order experience to share feedback where reviews are offered. Honest reviews help other neighbors choose great food and help cooks improve.

Payments & checkout

How you pay—and what happens with your money.

What payment methods can I use?
It depends on the cook. Many accept cash on pickup or delivery, plus Venmo, Zelle, or Cash App. Some enable credit or debit card checkout through Stripe. The cook’s storefront and checkout screen list exactly what they accept.
Is paying by card safe?
Card payments are processed by Stripe, a major payment provider. LocalFeast doesn’t store your full card details on our servers for those transactions; security follows industry-standard practices. For P2P methods (Venmo, Zelle, Cash App), you pay the cook directly per their instructions at checkout.
Does LocalFeast charge me a fee to order?
There’s no separate LocalFeast “per order” fee for customers shown at checkout in the usual flow—you pay the cook’s prices (and delivery fee if the cook charges one). Card networks or your bank may have their own fees; P2P apps have their own rules.
When am I charged for my order?
For card payments, timing follows the cook’s Stripe checkout flow (often at order or fulfillment, depending on setup). For cash or P2P, you’ll complete payment according to the cook’s instructions—often at pickup or delivery.
Can I get a refund?
Refunds depend on the situation and the cook’s policies. If something is wrong with your order, contact the cook first through the contact options you have. If you can’t resolve it, use our support page and we’ll help where we can.
Can I use a gift card?
LocalFeast supports gift cards where enabled. Visit the Gift cards section of the site to buy or redeem credit when available in your market. At checkout for a specific cook, use the payment methods that cook lists if gift balance isn’t applied automatically.

Pickup, delivery & timing

Getting your food on time, safely.

Can I get delivery or only pickup?
Each cook decides. Some offer pickup only; some offer delivery within a defined zone and fee; some offer both. On the cook’s page you’ll see slot types and any delivery area or fee before you pay.
Where do I pick up my order?
The cook’s storefront and your order confirmation should show pickup location or instructions. Many cooks use a home address, meet point, or pop-up—follow what they publish and arrive in your selected time window.
What if I’m late for pickup?
Message the cook as soon as you can using whatever contact method you have. Cooks may have limited ability to hold food; being on time keeps quality and fairness for everyone.
How do delivery zones work?
Cooks who deliver set areas (and sometimes fees or minimums) so they can reach you reliably. If your address isn’t in their zone, you may need to choose pickup or another cook.
What about food allergies and special diets?
Always read the cook’s descriptions and ask before ordering if you have a severe allergy. Cooks list dietary tags when they can, but kitchens vary—when in doubt, contact the cook directly before you order.
Is the food made in a restaurant or at home?
LocalFeast focuses on home cooks and cottage food producers. Food is prepared in their own kitchens, often under state cottage food or similar rules. Each cook’s profile describes what they offer; licensing and labeling responsibilities sit with the cook under applicable law.

Selling on LocalFeast — getting started

Sign up, setup checklist, fees, and how you get paid.

How do I become a cook on LocalFeast?
Sign up for a cook account, create your cook profile (business name, description, logo), add at least one menu item, and create time slots so customers can book pickup or delivery windows. Set how customers pay you (cash, Venmo, Zelle, Cash App, and optionally credit/debit cards via Stripe in Settings). Share your public storefront link when you’re ready.
What should I finish before my first real order?
Use the setup checklist in your dashboard: complete your profile, set up at least one payment method (or enable cards in Settings), add menu items, create at least one time slot, and if you offer delivery slots, add delivery zones that match. Turn your store “active” when you want to accept orders.
What fees do cooks pay?
LocalFeast charges a flat monthly subscription—not a commission on each order—so you keep 100% of your menu prices (aside from any delivery fees you keep). Stripe charges standard card processing fees when you accept cards. There’s no per-order platform cut from us on that model.
How do customers pay me?
You choose: cash on pickup/delivery, Venmo, Zelle, Cash App, and/or card checkout via Stripe (toggle under Settings → Payment Methods). Card checkout shows on your storefront when enabled; P2P details appear at checkout for customers to pay you directly.
How do I turn on credit or debit cards (Stripe)?
In your dashboard go to Settings → Payment Methods and enable “Accept credit & debit cards (Stripe).” That lets customers pay by card on your storefront and ties into payout reporting in Financial Reporting when you use Stripe. You’ll still need a proper Stripe account connection for live charges and payouts—follow Stripe’s onboarding if prompted.
What is my storefront URL?
It’s your site address with your cook slug, e.g. yoursite.com/your-business-name. You’ll see it on the dashboard and onboarding when setup is complete—share it on social, email, and flyers.
What happens if my subscription is inactive?
Your storefront may be hidden from customers until you renew or fix billing. You can still sign in to update settings. Check Subscription in Settings and contact support if you need help.

Running your cook business

Menu, schedule, orders, zones, and tools in the dashboard.

How do I add or edit menu items?
Go to Menu in the dashboard. Add items with name, price, description, optional category, and photos. Keep items accurate and in stock—customers rely on what they see.
How do time slots and capacity work?
Under Schedule, create slots with start and end times, type (pickup or delivery), and max capacity (how many orders you can handle in that window). Customers book into open slots; don’t set capacity lower than orders you’ve already accepted.
When do I need delivery zones?
If you create delivery-type time slots, define delivery zones (area and fees) under Delivery Zones so customers know where you deliver and what it costs. Pickup-only cooks can skip zones until they add delivery.
How do I handle new orders?
Open Orders. New orders often appear as pending until you accept or decline. After acceptance, move fulfillment along (preparing, ready, completed) using the status controls so customers know what to expect.
Can I pause orders?
Use Store Status in Settings to stop accepting new orders while you catch up or take a break. Communicate with customers who already ordered if timing changes.
What are Messages for?
Use Messages to coordinate with customers about pickup details, substitutions, or issues—clear communication reduces mistakes and builds repeat business.
What is Compliance for?
Many jurisdictions require permits or licenses for selling food. Use Compliance in the dashboard to track licenses, expirations, and documents you’re responsible for maintaining. LocalFeast doesn’t replace legal advice—verify rules in your city and state.
What are Payouts and Financial Reporting?
When you use Stripe for card payments, you can sync payout data and review summaries for taxes and bookkeeping. Use “Sync from Stripe” when appropriate and consult a tax professional for filing advice.
What are API keys for?
API keys let you or a developer integrate with LocalFeast programmatically—treat keys like passwords, never commit them to public code, and revoke if leaked.
Where can I replay the setup or dashboard tour?
Open Help in the dashboard header and choose “Replay setup tour” or “Replay dashboard tour.” You’ll be taken to the right page with the tour reset.

Trust, safety & support

Expectations, responsibilities, and getting help.

Who is responsible for food safety?
Cooks are responsible for safe preparation, storage, and labeling under applicable laws. Customers with health concerns should ask questions before ordering. If you believe something is unsafe, stop consuming and contact the cook and support.
How do I get help as a customer?
Start with the cook for order-specific issues. For account, payment, or platform problems, visit our Support page to email us. The FAQ and How it works pages cover common topics.
How do I get help as a cook?
Use Help in your dashboard for quick links, tour replay, FAQ, and Support. We’re here for billing, technical issues, and platform questions—legal and tax questions should go to your own professionals.
Where is LocalFeast available?
Anywhere cooks have signed up and set their service area. Browse by location to see who’s active near you; the network grows as more neighbors start cooking.
How do you use my data?
See our Privacy Policy and cookie settings for details. We use data to run orders, payments, and the marketplace—and to improve the product where allowed.

Still stuck?

We’re happy to point you in the right direction—whether you’re ordering dinner or scaling your cottage kitchen.

Contact support · Browse cooks · How it works · Gift cards · Become a cook