Detailed Answers for Wholesale Buyers,
Distributors & Brand Partners

FoodStreamOS evaluates new distributors on four criteria: (1) a valid US business entity with a wholesale license or resale certificate, (2) a definable geographic territory (metro area, state, or multi-state region) for your distribution focus, (3) a credible customer base of restaurants, retailers, or foodservice operators who would buy Caribbean specialty foods, and (4) cold-chain receiving capability if you handle seafood, fresh tubers, or fruit purees. We also review past distribution experience and product category fit. Submit a distributor inquiry with company details, target territory, and existing product mix to begin.

Every FoodStreamOS origin facility maintains current copies of: an FDA Food Facility Registration number, FSVP compliance evidence, a HACCP-based food safety plan with PCQI oversight, a current GFSI-recognized third-party audit (SQF, BRC, or FSSC 22000), country-specific food safety licenses (e.g., Bureau de normalisation d'Haïti for Haitian facilities, BSC for Jamaican), and a signed supply and specification agreement. Before harvest and before each shipment we verify phytosanitary certificate eligibility and confirm lot-level trace records. We share the underlying facility documentation with wholesale partners on request. Read our full compliance standards →

Private-label and co-packing orders carry higher minimums than in-stock catalog lines because they require dedicated production runs, custom label printing, and tooling setup. Typical MOQs: case-level private-label hot sauces and condiments around 500–1,000 cases per SKU, custom-blended seasonings around 250–500 kg, and exotic flours or purees in custom retail packaging around 1,000 units per SKU. Setup fees apply for first-time label artwork, regulatory review, and brand-owner spec sheets. Submit a private-label inquiry with your target SKU list, packaging format, and projected annual volume for a custom MOQ quote.

Yes. FoodStreamOS offers full private-label and co-packing services for restaurants, retailers, and food brands that want Caribbean specialty products under their own brand. Services include ingredient sourcing and formulation, label design and regulatory review (FDA nutrition facts, allergen declaration, country-of-origin marking), retail-ready packaging (jars, bottles, pouches, case packs), and finished-goods kitting. We work with manufacturers across Haiti, Jamaica, Trinidad, and the Dominican Republic. Co-packing customers have full visibility into the production timeline and can request plant tours or third-party audit summaries.

New wholesale accounts typically begin with a trial order to validate product fit, packaging, freight economics, and operating margin before committing to steady-state volume. Trial orders are usually under $1,500 in product value and are paid in advance by ACH or wire. Lead time is the standard 2–4 week production and transit window. Trial pricing is set at our published wholesale tier — no separate trial surcharge. Successful trial customers transition to standing schedules with net-30 terms after credit approval.

Yes, after credit approval. New accounts start on prepayment for the first one or two orders so we can validate fit and delivery execution. After that, established wholesale accounts are eligible for net-30 terms subject to a credit application covering business registration, resale certificate, banking references, and a few months of order history with us. Larger accounts in good standing can request net-45 or net-60 by prior arrangement. Late payment touches no formal fee but slows subsequent order processing. All terms are documented in the wholesale supply agreement.

Imported food products entering the US are subject to US federal customs duties (where applicable under HTS classification and CBI/CBTPA preference programs) and CBP merchandise processing fees, but are not subject to US sales tax at the federal port-of-entry level. Sales tax is only assessed at the state level when the imported product is resold to an end consumer in a state that imposes sales tax — and the importer of record or wholesaler handles that downstream obligation. FoodStreamOS invoices itemize product, freight, duties, and fees separately for clean resale-tax treatment. The US does not levy VAT on imported food.

Yes. FoodStreamOS supports both pallet-level and full-container-load ordering. Pallet orders (single-SKU or mixed-SKU pallets) suit restaurant groups, regional distributors, and retailers ramping Caribbean specialty SKUs. Full-container-load orders (typically a 20-ft or 40-ft reefer for perishables or a dry container for shelf-stable items) unlock the lowest per-unit landed cost and are positioned for large distributors, importers, and grocery chains. Mixed-SKU container loads are available on request, subject to minimum order value and packaging compatibility. We help you model pallet-vs-container break-even for your product mix.

Yes. Scheduled shipment programs — weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly standing orders — receive a pricing preference versus one-off orders because they reduce our production planning friction and lock in container space, cold-chain capacity, and freight allocation. Typical scheduled-shipment pricing benefits range from 3–8% off the equivalent one-off price, depending on volume commitment and frequency. Scheduled programs also guarantee priority production slots during peak Caribbean hurricane season (June–November) and Q4/holiday spikes. We can convert any account from one-off to scheduled in a single statement-of-work update.

Limited exclusivity is available for qualifying distributors in defined territories — typically metro areas, states, or contiguous multi-state regions. Exclusivity is granted in writing, tied to a minimum annual volume commitment, and reviewed annually. Non-compliance with the volume threshold can result in exclusivity being paused or redistributed. FoodStreamOS retains the right to sell direct to national foodservice chains, large grocery chains, and certain key accounts regardless of any local exclusivity arrangement — those carve-outs are spelled out in the distribution agreement so there are no surprises. Submit a distributor inquiry proposing your territory and volume commitment.

FDA Food Facility Registration numbers are public on the FDA's FFR (Food Facility Registration) public database. Each FoodStreamOS origin facility has an FFR number; we share it on the bill of lading, the FSVP Letter of Authorization, and the product specification sheet for every order. We can also provide a certification letter naming facility name, address, country, FFR number, registration expiration, and date of last FDA verification. FoodStreamOS pre-checks the FFR number on every shipment as part of our standard import service.

Under the USDA Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) Act and CBP Marking rules (19 CFR Part 134), every imported retail product sold in the US must carry a clear "Product of [country]" marking on the consumer-facing package or label. The marking must be legible, in English, and visible at the point of retail sale. FoodStreamOS labels all retail-packaged products with country of origin at our origin facility before export, not at the US port of entry, ensuring the marking is durable and survives the supply chain. For bulk and foodservice cases, the country appears on the case label and the corresponding invoice line.

Yes — all FoodStreamOS retail-packaged products comply with the FDA Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act (FALCPA) and the newer FASTER Act sesame requirement. Allergen statements identify the Big 9 allergens (milk, egg, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, soybeans, sesame) and follow FDA "Contains" and "May Contain" guidance. Common allergens across our lines: scotch bonnet and pikliz may contain mustard or vinegar derivatives; cassava and plantain flours are typically gluten-free but produced in shared facilities that handle allergens. Allergen declarations are on every product spec sheet and on the retail packing label.

Kosher and Halal certification are facility-level attributions that require third-party rabbinical or halal-body supervision at the origin plant. Select FoodStreamOS products carry OU, OK, or Star-K Kosher certification and/or specific halal certifications depending on the plant. Because not every origin facility maintains these certifications, kosher and halal status vary by SKU — always confirm on the spec sheet for the product you order. We can coordinate kosher or halal certification for private-label or co-packing orders by adding the supervising body to the production run for a small incremental cost, typically a per-case fee plus audit costs.

Yes. Qualified distributors and large chain retailers can access FoodStreamOS marketing co-op funds, typically in the 1–3% of net invoiced spend range. Eligible activities: in-store demos, Caribbean-themed menu campaigns, point-of-sale materials (shelf-talkers, recipe cards, branded aprons), print or digital local advertising, and trade-show booth presence. Co-op spend is documented and pre-approved — distributors submit a marketing plan with proposed activity, dates, and audience, and we co-fund against receipts. Co-op balances roll forward up to 12 months and are not redeemable as cash invoice discounts.

Damaged or compromised-in-transit product is documented within 48 hours of delivery with photographs of the case, pallet shrink-wrap, and any temperature-logger readings. Email the claim to foodstreamos@polsia.app with the order reference, photos, and a brief description. FoodStreamOS reviews temperature-logger data from the freight carrier, cross-checks with our cold-chain log, and resolves claims within 5 business days. Approved claims result in product credit, replacement product on the next available production slot, or a refund — at the buyer's option. Order-cancellation once production has begun is treated separately and does not fall under damage claims.

Yes. Orders can be split across multiple US warehouse destinations from a single purchase, subject to each destination meeting the minimum per-shipment weight threshold (typically 250 lb per drop for cold-chain orders so temperature integrity of the consignment is preserved). Multi-location ships are particularly common for restaurant groups operating multiple locations and for regional distributors serving satellite kitchens. Each destination receives its own packing list, BOL, temperature logger, and FSVP documentation packet. Additional destination fees apply for split shipments.

Standard quote turnaround is one business day from a complete inquiry (company, products, volumes, target delivery region). We confirm product availability, FOB origin price, freight estimate to your destination, customs and fee estimates, and lead time. After you accept the quote, we issue a draft purchase order within an additional 1–2 business days that locks in price, payment terms, and production timeline. From PO acceptance to finished-goods shipment is then the standard 2–4 week production window. Rush quotes for time-sensitive needs (hurricane resupply, menu launches) can be turned around same-day on request.