Food Library

Terms of Sale

Last updated: 29 August 2026

1. Who you are buying from

Food Library ("we", "us", "the platform") provides software that connects customers with independent food and drink vendors ("Vendors"). We act as a technology and marketplace facilitator only and do not sell, prepare, deliver, guarantee or accept liability for any food, drink, products or services supplied by Vendors. When you place an order, the contract of sale for the food, drink or other goods is between you and the Vendor. Food Library is not the seller of the goods and is not a party to that contract.

2. Orders and acceptance

  • Placing an order through the platform is an offer to buy from the Vendor at the listed price.
  • The order is accepted when the Vendor confirms it. Until acceptance, no contract exists.
  • Vendors may refuse or cancel an order (for example, if items are out of stock, the address is outside their delivery area, or they are closed). In that case you will be refunded in full for that Vendor's portion.
  • Prices, menus, delivery fees, minimum orders and opening hours are set by the Vendor and may change at any time.

3. Multi-vendor baskets

Food Library allows you to add items from more than one Vendor to a single basket, provided those Vendors operate in the same live postcode area. When you check out a multi-vendor basket:

  • You enter into a separate contract of sale with each Vendor for the items you ordered from them. Food Library is not a party to those contracts.
  • The basket is split into one order per Vendor. Each Vendor receives, prepares and fulfils only their own items, on their own timing, and to their own minimum order, delivery fee, collection window and opening hours.
  • You make a single payment at checkout. That payment is then automatically distributed via Stripe so each Vendor is paid only their portion (their item subtotal plus their delivery fee, less any applicable discount).
  • Each Vendor's order may be accepted, refused, refunded, delayed or cancelled independently of the others. A problem with one Vendor's order does not cancel orders placed with the other Vendors in the same basket.
  • For delivery orders, each Vendor delivers their items separately to the address you provided. Delivery times will vary between Vendors.
  • Promo codes apply only when the basket contains items from a single Vendor.
  • Refunds, complaints or quality issues for a specific Vendor's items should be raised with that Vendor; refunds are issued by the Vendor against their own order only.

4. Mandatory platform discounts and promotions

Food Library administrators may set live platform-wide discounts, promotions or price reductions at any time and without prior notice. These discounts are mandatory for every Vendor using the platform. By selling through Food Library, each Vendor agrees to accept and honour any live discount or promotion set by the administrator, without exception or opt-out. The discount is automatically applied at checkout and the Vendor will receive the discounted amount (less any platform and payment processing fees) in the normal course of settlement.

5. Payments and Stripe

Payments on Food Library are processed by Stripe. Each Vendor connects their own Stripe account to the platform via Stripe Connect and is the merchant of record for sales made through their storefront.

  • Stripe payments are made directly to the Vendor. When you pay for an order, your payment is processed by Stripe as a direct charge on the Vendor's connected Stripe account. The money is settled directly to the Vendor's Stripe account; Food Library does not receive, hold or control the funds.
  • For multi-vendor baskets, your single checkout payment is automatically split by Stripe so that each Vendor receives only their portion (their item subtotal plus their delivery fee, less any applicable discount).
  • Stripe processing fees, currency conversion fees, chargeback fees, dispute fees, refund fees and any other Stripe charges associated with a transaction are charged to the Vendor's Stripe account, not to the customer or to Food Library.
  • Payouts to the Vendor's bank account, payout timing, reserves and account holds are governed by Stripe under the Vendor's agreement with Stripe (the Stripe Connected Account Agreement and Stripe Services Agreement).
  • The Vendor is solely responsible for keeping their Stripe account in good standing, providing accurate KYC information, and complying with Stripe's terms.
  • Food Library does not hold customer funds. We do not act as a payment institution.

6. Vendor responsibilities

By selling through Food Library each Vendor is responsible for:

  • The accuracy of menu listings, prices, allergen and nutritional information.
  • Food safety, hygiene, licensing and any other regulatory compliance for their business.
  • Preparing, packaging and (where applicable) delivering orders to a reasonable standard.
  • Issuing refunds where the order is faulty, incorrect, undelivered or otherwise not as described.
  • Accounting for, declaring and paying any VAT, income tax or other taxes due on their sales.
  • Handling customer complaints relating to the goods.
  • Accepting and honouring any platform-wide discount or promotion set live by Food Library, without exception or opt-out.

7. Customer rights and refunds

Because most orders are perishable food prepared to order, the statutory right to cancel under the Consumer Contracts Regulations does not apply once preparation has started. You may still be entitled to a refund or replacement if the order is not of satisfactory quality, not as described, or not delivered. Refund requests should be raised with the Vendor first; we can help mediate where needed.

8. Delivery and collection

Delivery times, collection windows and delivery fees are estimates set by the Vendor. Delays can happen. For delivery orders, please ensure someone is available at the address. For collection orders, please arrive within the agreed window.

9. Chargebacks and disputes

If a customer raises a chargeback with their bank, Stripe will manage the dispute against the Vendor's connected account. The Vendor is responsible for providing evidence and for any disputed amount and associated Stripe dispute fees.

10. Platform fees

Food Library may charge Vendors a subscription or commission for use of the platform. These fees are separate from Stripe processing fees and are described in the Vendor's subscription agreement and in our Subscription Policy.

11. Liability

Food Library is a software service and marketplace facilitator only. To the maximum extent permitted by law, we do not accept any liability for the quality, safety, legality, description, delivery, allergen information, fitness for purpose or any other aspect of goods or services sold by Vendors, or for any loss, damage, injury or disappointment arising from any transaction between you and a Vendor or any third-party payment processor. Any claim relating to the goods, services or a transaction must be directed to the relevant Vendor. Nothing in these terms limits any liability that cannot lawfully be limited, including liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence and for fraud.

12. Governing law

These terms are governed by the laws of England and Wales.

13. Contact

Questions about these terms can be sent to wearefoodlibrary@gmail.com.