Question 1

What are Food Web credits?

Accepted Answer

Food Web credits are a prepaid balance in your account that you put toward booking licensed commercial kitchens. They work like a gift balance: at checkout your available credits are applied first, and anything left over is charged to your card. Credits are funded by grant programs and partner organizations — they're not something you buy.

Question 2

How do I get credits?

Accepted Answer

There are two ways. You can apply to a funding program like the Renter Grant Program — if you're approved, credit is loaded into your account. Or you can receive an email invite from a partner organization such as an accelerator, incubator, sponsor, or non-profit. Either way, the credit lands in your Food Web account once you accept it and your account is set up.

Question 3

Do I have to pay credits back?

Accepted Answer

No. Credits from a grant or partner program are not a loan — there's nothing to repay. They're applied to your kitchen bookings, and that's it.

Question 4

How do I accept a credit invite?

Accepted Answer

Open the link in your invite email and sign in — or create your Food Web account using the same email address the invite was sent to. The credit is added to your balance as soon as you accept. The email you sign in with has to match the one the invite was sent to, which keeps the credit going to the right person.

Question 5

Where can I see my credit balance?

Accepted Answer

In your renter dashboard under Credits. It shows your current balance, the grants you've received, their expiry dates, and your full history — credits added, spent, refunded, and expired.

Question 6

Can I use credits at any kitchen?

Accepted Answer

At any kitchen billed in the same currency as your credits. Credits are currency-specific: Canadian-dollar credits pay for bookings at Canadian kitchens, and US-dollar credits pay for bookings at US kitchens. We don't convert between currencies, so a CAD balance can't pay for a USD booking, and vice versa.

Question 7

Do credits cover my whole booking or just part of it?

Accepted Answer

Whatever you have. At checkout we apply your available credits first. If they cover the full amount, you pay nothing more. If the booking costs more than your balance, credits cover what they can and your card is charged for the remainder — all in one step.

Question 8

Do credits expire?

Accepted Answer

Usually, yes. Most grants are good for 12 months from the day you accept them, though the funding partner can set a different window — or no expiry at all. Your dashboard shows the expiry date for each grant.

Question 9

Which of my credits are used first?

Accepted Answer

The ones closest to expiring. When you book, we always spend your soonest-to-expire credits first (and never-expiring credits last) so you get the most out of your balance and don't lose credits to an expiry date.

Question 10

What happens to credits I don't use before they expire?

Accepted Answer

Any unused portion of an expired grant is returned to the program or partner that funded it and removed from your balance. Using your credits before their expiry date is the best way to get the full benefit.

Question 11

If I cancel a booking, do I get my credits back?

Accepted Answer

Yes — credits come back first. On an eligible cancellation we restore the credits you spent before refunding anything to your card, up to the booking's refundable amount. How much is refundable depends on the kitchen's cancellation policy for that booking.

Question 12

Can I cash out or transfer my credits?

Accepted Answer

No. Credits can only be spent on kitchen bookings within Food Web. They can't be withdrawn as cash, transferred to someone else, or paid out to your bank.

Question 13

Is there a limit to how many credits I can receive?

Accepted Answer

It depends on the program. Each grant program sets its own per-renter cap — for example, the Nova Scotia Renter Grant Program funds up to $1,500 per approved renter. You can also hold credits from more than one partner; they add together into a single balance per currency.

Question 14

How can my organization fund credits for renters?

Accepted Answer

Accelerators, incubators, sponsors, non-profits, and other organizations can fund a credit pool and direct it to the renters they want to support. The Food Web team sets your organization up, then you invite renters by email with a set credit amount and an optional expiry. Reach out through the funders section to get started.

Question 15

How do partners give credits to a specific renter?

Accepted Answer

A partner sends an email invite for a set amount in a chosen currency, with an optional expiry date. When the renter accepts, that amount is drawn from the partner's pool and added to the renter's balance. Partners can see who they've invited and how their funding is being used.

Question 16

What happens to a partner's funds if credits go unused?

Accepted Answer

Funds stay in the partner's pool until a renter accepts an invite, so nothing is committed before then. If an accepted grant later expires unused, the remaining amount returns to the partner's pool — unused funding isn't lost. Every credit added, spent, refunded, and expired is tracked in an auditable ledger so funders can see exactly where their money goes.

Question 17

What is a kitchen deposit on Food Web?

Accepted Answer

Some kitchens require a refundable security deposit to cover damage or extra cleaning. On Food Web a deposit is a temporary hold on your card — it is never part of your booking payment, and in most cases it is released in full without any money changing hands.

Question 18

When is the deposit hold placed on my card?

Accepted Answer

The hold is placed automatically around the start of your session, using the card you saved at checkout. You don't need to do anything — your order page shows the deposit as Scheduled until then, and Held once the hold is in place.

Question 19

Is the deposit charged to my card?

Accepted Answer

No — a hold is an authorization, not a charge. Your bank may show it as a pending transaction and it can reduce your available balance while it's active, but the money never leaves your account unless the kitchen files a claim and Food Web approves it.

Question 20

When is my deposit released?

Accepted Answer

After your session ends, the kitchen has a short review window (typically 72 hours) to report an issue. If nothing is filed, the hold is released automatically when the window closes. Depending on your bank, the pending transaction can take a few business days to disappear from your statement.

Question 21

What happens if the kitchen files a claim?

Accepted Answer

Food Web reviews every claim along with the kitchen's evidence — a claim is never settled by the kitchen alone. If a claim is approved, only the approved amount is captured from the hold and the remainder is released immediately. Your order page shows the outcome, and you'll see it in your messages as well.

Question 22

My credits covered the whole booking — why do I still need a card on file?

Accepted Answer

Deposit holds can only be placed on a card. If your Food Web credits cover the full booking, checkout will still ask you to save a card so the refundable hold can be authorized around your session. The card is not charged for the booking itself.

Question 23

How do I know if a kitchen requires a deposit before I book?

Accepted Answer

The deposit amount is shown while you build your booking on the kitchen's page and again at checkout, always listed separately from your total. Not all kitchens require one — each kitchen sets its own deposit policy.

Question 24

I'm a kitchen owner — how do deposits work for my kitchen?

Accepted Answer

You can require a deposit per station from your kitchen settings, including the amount and review window. When something goes wrong, file a claim from your dashboard within the review window with photos or receipts as evidence — Food Web reviews it and decides the captured amount, which is paid out to you.

Question 25

What fees does Food Web charge?

Accepted Answer

Food Web takes a 12% transaction fee on each booking to cover processing, compliance verification, and platform maintenance. Visit the pricing page for more details.

Question 26

Can Kitchen Owners restrict who rents their kitchen?

Accepted Answer

Yes, Kitchen Owners can outline specific requirements or restrictions, such as only allowing renters with certain certifications, permits, and insurance, directly in the listing. Furthermore, once a renter wishes to book a kitchen, before they pay, the Kitchen Owner may view their profile and approve or disapprove the booking.

Question 27

How does Food Web pricing work?

Accepted Answer

The Kitchen Owners set the rental price for their kitchen. Food Web takes 12% of that rate by default. Renters pay an additional 3.25% on top of that rate to cover the credit card processing fees. Visit the pricing page for more details.

Question 28

Is Food Web a certified kitchen directory?

Accepted Answer

Yes, we verify that listed kitchens meet local food safety requirements, and renters must upload their Food Handler Certification to book.

Question 29

Do I need insurance to use Food Web?

Accepted Answer

Kitchen must have proof of insurance. Kitchen owners have the discretion to decide whether or not the renters booking their kitchen need to have insurance. If so, Kitchen Owners may specify an amount of "General Liability" required to book the kitchen.

Question 30

How does Food Web work?

Accepted Answer

Kitchen owners list their spaces, and food entrepreneurs browse available kitchens, submit requests, and book time. The platform handles scheduling, messaging, payments, compliance uploads, and support.

Question 31

What if I need help or have more questions?

Accepted Answer

We're here for you! Reach out to us anytime. The best way to reach us is through the contact page.

Question 32

What if there is an issue with a renter?

Accepted Answer

The Food Web platform includes an optional deposit system for renters to cover incidentals, and our support team is available to mediate any issues that arise.

Question 33

Who is responsible for cleaning and maintenance?

Accepted Answer

Renters are required to follow a standard operating procedure and complete a cleaning checklist after use. However, the owner is responsible for general kitchen maintenance.

Question 34

What is Food Web?

Accepted Answer

Food Web is a platform that connects food entrepreneurs with underused commercial kitchens across Atlantic Canada. We make it easy and affordable to find, book, and manage certified kitchen space.

Question 35

Does Food Web handle food safety compliance?

Accepted Answer

We don't issue permits, but we guide renters through what they need and ensure kitchens disclose restrictions, requirements, and equipment details.

Question 36

Where is Food Web available?

Accepted Answer

Food Web is currently available in Atlantic Canada, with plans to expand across Atlantic Canada and eventually nationwide. For up-to-date information about whether there is a kitchen near you, check out the kitchens page.

Question 37

Does Food Web provide customer support?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Our team offers support to both kitchen owners and renters and helps troubleshoot onboarding, scheduling, payments, and compliance.

Question 38

How do I list my kitchen on Food Web?

Accepted Answer

Listing your kitchen is simple! Create an account, provide details about your kitchen (equipment, availability, and pricing), and upload the required permits and insurance. Once verified, your kitchen will be visible to renters.

Question 39

What types of kitchens can be listed?

Accepted Answer

Any certified commercial kitchen can be listed, including community centres, churches, cafés, restaurants, food hubs, and shared-use facilities.

Question 40

How do Kitchen Owners get paid?

Accepted Answer

Payments are processed through the platform and deposited directly into your bank account, within 7 days after the booking itself occurs. Payments are released upon a successful booking taking place.

Question 41

How do I set my kitchen's rental price?

Accepted Answer

Kitchen owners choose their hourly rate. This is set on the Kitchen Dashboard after you sign up.

Most Kitchens set a rate between $20-$35/hour depending on equipment, location, and availability. Additionaly, Food Web gives kitchens the ability to monetize storage space including short/long term dry, cold, frozen, and equipment storage.

Question 42

How do I block off unavailable times for my kitchen?

Accepted Answer

You can manage your kitchen's availability directly through your dashboard calendar, making it easy to block off times for personal use or maintenance.

Question 43

What documents do I need to provide to rent my kitchen?

Accepted Answer

You will need to provide proof of insurance, your kitchen's health permits, and any other required certifications to ensure compliance with provincial regulations.

Question 44

Does Food Web help me attract renters?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Food Web promotes your listing through a dedicated listing page, marketing, targeted outreach, partnerships, and referrals from local food networks.

Question 45

Can I approve or decline renters?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Kitchen owners review renter profiles, certifications, and messages before approving any booking request.

Question 46

Do I need extra insurance to list my kitchen?

Accepted Answer

No additional insurance is required, but we recommend confirming your current liability policy covers rental use. Many already do.

Question 47

What if I have allergies or ingredient restrictions?

Accepted Answer

Kitchens disclose allergen restrictions or certifications like gluten-free or vegan. Always check listing details before booking.

Question 48

How do I rent a kitchen on Food Web?

Accepted Answer

Create a renter profile, upload your Food Handler Certification, browse kitchens, send an availability request, and book once approved. Visit the Kitchen Rental Overview page for more details.

Question 49

Do I need a Food Handler Certificate to rent a kitchen?

Accepted Answer

Yes. All renters must upload a valid Food Safe Handler Certification to ensure compliance with local food safety regulations.

Question 50

What types of food businesses use Food Web?

Accepted Answer

Caterers, bakers, meal prep companies, packaged food startups, farmers adding value to crops, and small-scale food entrepreneurs.

Question 51

Can I store food in the kitchen?

Accepted Answer

Storage availability varies by kitchen. Listings indicate whether dry, fridge, or freezer storage is included or available for a fee.

Question 52

How do I request a booking?

Accepted Answer

Select a kitchen, choose available hours, and continue to book your slot. The Kitchen then must approve or disapprove your booking. From here, you can pay your booking fee and show up for your booking.

Question 53

What if I need to cancel a booking?

Accepted Answer

Cancellation policies vary by kitchen. Each listing displays the notice required for refunds or schedule changes.

Question 54

Can I book recurring time slots?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Many kitchens allow ongoing weekly or monthly bookings for consistent production schedules. Food Web also finds "anchor tennants" for kitchens that prefer singular, long-term renters.

Question 55

How long does it take to get approved for a booking?

Accepted Answer

Most kitchen owners respond within 24-48 hours. You’ll receive an email notification as soon as they approve or decline your request.

Question 56

How does the Food Web referral program work?

Accepted Answer

Invite kitchen owners or renters to join Food Web using your personalized link. You earn a lifetime percentage of platform fees from the people you refer. All users (excluding partners) start at 1% of the booking fee. The maximum tier is 2.5%. Visit the referral page for more details.

Question 57

What are the referral tiers?

Accepted Answer

As you refer more kitchens, your earnings increase. Tiers range from Prep Cook to Master Chef, with rates from 1.00% to 2.50%.

Question 58

Who can I refer?

Accepted Answer

Anyone who owns a kitchen. There’s no limit to how many people you can refer.

Question 59

How do I get my referral link?

Accepted Answer

Your referral link is available in your dashboard under the “Referral Program” section. Share it via email, social media, or text. Sign up as a "General User".

Question 60

When do I get paid referral earnings?

Accepted Answer

Referral payouts occur automatically every month through Stripe once your referred users have completed bookings and you have reached the minimum payout threshold ($100 CAD).

Frequently Asked Questions