Terms of Service
Last updated: August 14, 2026
These terms set clear responsibilities for independent cooks and customers using PorchPickup. They should be reviewed by Nevada counsel before a full public launch.
1. What PorchPickup does
PorchPickup is a marketplace and ordering tool that helps customers discover independent cooks and arrange local pickup. We do not prepare, package, store, transport, inspect, test, or deliver food. We are not a restaurant, food establishment, health authority, insurer, employer, or agent of any cook.
2. Independent cooks
Each cook operates independently. Cooks—not PorchPickup—are solely responsible for their menus, food preparation, ingredients, sourcing, storage, temperatures, packaging, sanitation, labeling, permits, registrations, business licenses, taxes, insurance, refunds, customer communications, and compliance with all applicable law.
3. Strict cook eligibility rules
PorchPickup currently accepts online-order applications only from permitted food businesses that can lawfully accept online pickup orders. An applicant must provide a food permit or business license for review before a profile or menu may be published. We are not currently approving cottage-food-only sellers for online ordering through PorchPickup. A listing, account, document upload, or payment of a PorchPickup membership fee is not a permit, approval, inspection, certification, or legal determination by PorchPickup.
4. Nevada and local requirements
Rules differ by food, preparation method, jurisdiction, and selling method. In Nevada, the current cottage-food framework is limited and may not cover online ordering or foods that require time or temperature control for safety. Sellers must independently confirm their requirements with the Nevada Department of Agriculture, the applicable local health authority, and qualified legal or insurance advisers before listing or accepting an order. Sellers must not use PorchPickup for any sale or order prohibited by applicable law.
5. Food safety, allergens, and dietary needs
Food may be prepared in a private home or another cook-controlled setting and may not be inspected by a government food-safety authority. Cooks must accurately disclose ingredients, known allergens, and reasonable cross-contact risks when requested. Customers are responsible for reviewing each menu, asking the cook direct questions, and deciding whether food is appropriate for their needs. Customers with severe allergies, celiac disease, immunocompromise, pregnancy-related dietary risk, or other medical dietary restrictions should not rely solely on a listing, a review, or a cook’s response.
6. Reviews and verification
PorchPickup may limit reviews to completed orders and may review documents submitted by cooks. A review, rating, uploaded document, or a statement that a document was submitted does not guarantee food quality, safety, legality, licensing, insurance coverage, identity, or suitability for a customer’s dietary needs. Only an explicit ‘Verified by PorchPickup’ designation means PorchPickup has completed the verification described with that designation; it is not a food-safety certification.
7. Orders, pickup, and food payments
Food orders are arrangements directly between the customer and the cook. Cash, Venmo, and similar pickup payments are paid directly to the cook; PorchPickup does not process, hold, or guarantee those food payments. Exact pickup details are shared by the cook or after an order flow. Customers and cooks are responsible for confirming pickup times, payment method, cancellation, refunds, and any dispute directly with one another, subject to applicable law.
8. Cook membership
Cook accounts include the trial and membership terms shown during signup and Stripe checkout. Membership fees are for access to PorchPickup tools and are separate from food orders. We may suspend, restrict, remove, or refuse any account, listing, review, or content where we believe it presents a safety, legal, fraud, or platform-integrity risk.
9. Assumption of risk and limits
To the fullest extent permitted by law, use of PorchPickup and any food obtained through it is at the customer’s and cook’s own risk. PorchPickup does not warrant that a cook, meal, listing, review, document, or payment arrangement is safe, lawful, accurate, available, insured, allergen-free, or fit for a particular purpose. Nothing in these terms limits rights that cannot legally be limited.
10. Reporting concerns
Report suspected unsafe food, a misleading listing, an allergy concern, or another urgent safety issue to hello@porchpickup.app. If someone may be seriously ill or in immediate danger, contact emergency services or the appropriate public-health authority. Reporting to PorchPickup does not replace a report to the responsible government authority.