taken from the days when hot lead was poured into molds to cast type, "foundries" of today are almost entirely digital -- or at least their products are. in order to use good type you have to know who has a reputation for making good type. here are a few to get you started.
DISTRIBUTORS [larger retailers who sell type by lots of different foundries]
vllg
steven M, check out brooklyn and brooklyn stencil for design+make
myfonts
a bit like wal-mart for type but some good stuff. you just have to be discerning about what you are looking for. tons of tons of tons of type here. often very good sales, sometimes up to 80% off for brand new families.
FOUNDRIES