A disposable or reusable food base tray and plurality of container modules is disclosed which allows the user to both hold food directly in compartments on the base tray and configure a plurality of similar or different food and beverage container modules selected by the user to securely fit the compartments on the surface of the base tray. Container modules include but are not limited to bowls, compartmented container modules, cups including standard cup sizes, different size cup holders, platters and other container modules. The food base tray provides a way for users to add a greater variety of foods to the tray while keeping foods separate, to adapt the tray for a plurality of non-solid foods such as soups and beverages and to easily carry all food container modules securely. An additional feature includes the use of stacking container modules that allow stacking of an additional tray securely on top of said stacking container modules. An additional feature includes unique identifiers on base trays and container modules so that users can readily identify which items belong to the user. An additional feature is themed identifiers to make it easier to remember multiple container identifiers. An additional feature is educational or entertaining depictions and text on the base tray and container modules.

A disposable or reusable food base tray and plurality of container modules is disclosed which allows the user to both hold food directly in compartments on the base tray and configure a plurality of similar or different food and beverage container modules selected by the user to securely fit the compartments on the surface of the base tray. Container modules include but are not limited to bowls, compartmented container modules, cups including standard cup sizes, different size cup holders, platters and other container modules. The food base tray provides a way for users to add a greater variety of foods to the tray while keeping foods separate, to adapt the tray for a plurality of non-solid foods such as soups and beverages and to easily carry all food container modules securely. An additional feature includes the use of stacking container modules that allow stacking of an additional tray securely on top of said stacking container modules. An additional feature includes unique identifiers on base trays and container modules so that users can readily identify which items belong to the user. An additional feature is themed identifiers to make it easier to remember multiple container identifiers. An additional feature is educational or entertaining depictions and text on the base tray and container modules.

A food handling device includes a holder having an interior chamber extending along a longitudinal axis, and an extension housing detachably mounted on the holder and having an interior compartment for receiving and for holding the foodstuff. A pusher is mounted in the chamber for axial movement. An actuator axially moves the pusher through the chamber and through the compartment into contact with the foodstuff, and incrementally feeds a continuously variable quantity of the foodstuff along the longitudinal axis through the opening directly into a user's mouth to enable the foodstuff to be eaten bite-by-bite in a sanitary manner without using eating accessories, such as plates and/or utensils, and without the user's hands directly touching and contaminating the foodstuff, thereby preventing the spread of disease.

A food handling device includes a holder having an interior chamber extending along a longitudinal axis, and an extension housing detachably mounted on the holder and having an interior compartment for receiving and for holding the foodstuff. A pusher is mounted in the chamber for axial movement. An actuator axially moves the pusher through the chamber and through the compartment into contact with the foodstuff, and incrementally feeds a continuously variable quantity of the foodstuff along the longitudinal axis through the opening directly into a user's mouth to enable the foodstuff to be eaten bite-by-bite in a sanitary manner without using eating accessories, such as plates and/or utensils, and without the user's hands directly touching and contaminating the foodstuff, thereby preventing the spread of disease.

A mating food and beverage retaining assembly comprising a serving plate having a collar that has one or more tabs protruding inwardly from the collar and a sloped apron disposed at least partially inside a perimeter defined by the collar. The sloped apron comprises one or more apertures. The serving plate mates with a beverage receptacle having a beverage retaining portion, a stem, and a base having one or more recesses for mating with the one or more tabs. The beverage receptacle is releasably joined to the serving plate by mating the one or more tabs with the one or more recesses. The apertures promote drainage of fluids collecting inside the collar.

A mating food and beverage retaining assembly comprising a serving plate having a collar that has one or more tabs protruding inwardly from the collar and a sloped apron disposed at least partially inside a perimeter defined by the collar. The sloped apron comprises one or more apertures. The serving plate mates with a beverage receptacle having a beverage retaining portion, a stem, and a base having one or more recesses for mating with the one or more tabs. The beverage receptacle is releasably joined to the serving plate by mating the one or more tabs with the one or more recesses. The apertures promote drainage of fluids collecting inside the collar.

Service items and utensil combinations are provided for efficiency of food service and for selective presentation of foods. Service items include at least a side wall defining an inside surface for receiving food, wherein the side wall is provided with an indentation that extends at least partially over a width of the sidewall for defining a utensil receiving recess along an outside surface of the sidewall, and a recessed edge portion provided along a peripheral edge of the sidewall providing access to the utensil receiving recess. The recessed edge portion can be defined by an edge portion of the peripheral edge and a plurality of opposed capture points. One or more utensils are provided in combination with the service item, wherein each utensil has a portion thereof that is dimensioned to be supported on the edge portion defining the recessed edge portion adjacent to the opposed capture points.

Service items and utensil combinations are provided for efficiency of food service and for selective presentation of foods. Service items include at least a side wall defining an inside surface for receiving food, wherein the side wall is provided with an indentation that extends at least partially over a width of the sidewall for defining a utensil receiving recess along an outside surface of the sidewall, and a recessed edge portion provided along a peripheral edge of the sidewall providing access to the utensil receiving recess. The recessed edge portion can be defined by an edge portion of the peripheral edge and a plurality of opposed capture points. One or more utensils are provided in combination with the service item, wherein each utensil has a portion thereof that is dimensioned to be supported on the edge portion defining the recessed edge portion adjacent to the opposed capture points.

A disposable food container is configured with a lid that enables similar containers to be securely stacked and enables easy verification that loaded and stacked containers contain utensils and/or condiments.

A food handling device includes a holder having an interior chamber extending along a longitudinal axis, and an extension housing detachably mounted on the holder and having an interior compartment for receiving and for holding the foodstuff. A pusher is mounted in the chamber for axial movement. An actuator axially moves the pusher through the chamber and through the compartment into contact with the foodstuff, and incrementally feeds a continuously variable quantity of the foodstuff along the longitudinal axis through the opening directly into a user's mouth to enable the foodstuff to be eaten bite-by-bite in a sanitary manner without using eating accessories, such as plates and/or utensils, and without the user's hands directly touching and contaminating the foodstuff, thereby preventing the spread of disease.