Product Description

Mix and match this make-believe food to create a fabulous feast. Your child can learn all about the different food groups with this well-balanced 21-piece pretend play food set. Comes complete with all four food groups, individually boxed in wooden crates for storage, sorting and stacking. Measures 9" x 12.75" x 2.25".

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #282 in Toys & Games
• Brand: Melissa & Doug
• Model: 271
• Released on: 2006-06-12
• Number of items: 1
• Dimensions: 12.60" h x 8.80" w x 2.30" l, 2.55 pounds

Features

• 21-piece food set
• Includes all 4 food groups
• Each group stored separately
• Recommended Age Range 3 Years and up

From the Manufacturer
Mix and match to make a meal! Well-balanced 21-piece food set with all 4 food groups; individually boxed in wooden crates for storage; sorting and stacking.

Customer Reviews

Very nice
I wanted good wooden pretend food (hate plastic toys) and I wanted a nice starter selection for a good price without having to buy, say, a separate veggie or fruit set. This is a basic food groups set so you get (4) little wooden crates filled with meats, veggies-n-fruits, dairy, and grains.

That said, after receiving the product, I can confirm that buying separate sets would have yielded superior pretend food, but would have quadrupled the investment. Besides, the kids love it and engage in all the rich, imaginative and independent play parents love to peripherally watch while reading the newspaper or something.

In summary,
Pros:
-All wood, nice all-in-one selection
-Kids like it a lot

Cons:
-Made in China
-All the produce is smaller than life-size -- even the egg and lemon (whereas the individual sets include many life-size items)
-Paint from some of the produce arrived scuffed onto other produce (enough to induce a mildly annoyed "come-on" but not enough to initiate a return or obsess over)

Paint Comes Off Easily
I bought this food set thinking the wooden version would be more durable, safer, etc... than the plastic food. However, the paint chips off in large pieces every time it is dropped. I don't feel that it is safe because my son gets paint chips on his hands, could eat them, and is tempted to peel off more paint from the toys as they chip. They look great initially, but I would not recommend them.

Lasts and lasts
The nice thing about Melissa and Doug wooden toys is that they will last through many children, light and hard play and will be enjoyed for a long time.

My set is about 5 years old. It has been through 2 kids and is now currently getting a good beating from an overzealous 19 month old. He bangs them and tosses them and uses the food to bowl with.

We play identify the food, we serve each other and then learn to clean up. Very cool toys.