How We Ship Perishable Food
Shipping fresh meat, seafood, and perishable goods requires more care than a standard Amazon box. Here is how we handle it.
Packaging
All perishable products are shipped in insulated packaging designed to maintain safe temperatures during transit. Depending on the producer and product, this may include:
- Insulated foam or liner boxes
- Dry ice or gel packs
- Vacuum-sealed products
- Temperature-monitoring where applicable
Each producer packs their own orders using methods appropriate to their products. Our Perishable Standard ensures every producer meets our minimum shipping safety requirements.
Carriers and Transit Times
Most perishable orders ship via FedEx, UPS, or USPS depending on the producers location and your delivery address. Typical transit times:
- Standard: 3-5 business days
- Expedited: 2-3 business days
- Priority: 1-2 business days (where available)
Transit speed depends on the producers shipping class and your location. Each product page shows the expected shipping speed and next ship date.
When Does My Order Ship?
Orders are processed and shipped on the producers designated ship days. Our cart widget shows the next ship date for each producer in your cart.
- Orders placed before 12:00 PM CT on a ship day ship that day
- Orders placed after 12:00 PM CT ship on the producers next scheduled ship day
Shipping Costs
Shipping costs are weight-based and calculated per producer. Our FSD Weight Meter in the cart shows you exactly what shipping will cost as you add items, including:
- Current shipping cost
- Price per pound
- Next pricing tier (so you can optimize your order)
Heavier orders cost more to ship, but the price per pound goes down as you add more. The meter helps you find the sweet spot.
Where Do You Ship?
We currently ship to all 50 U.S. states. Some producers may have restrictions on shipping to certain states due to perishable handling requirements, noted on the product page if applicable.
We do not currently ship internationally.
What If My Order Arrives Damaged?
If your perishable order arrives in a condition that is not safe to consume, contact us immediately:
- Email: support@foodstoredirect.com
- Contact form: Contact Us
Include photos of the packaging and product condition. We will work with the producer to make it right, replacement or refund.
See our Refund Policy for details.