diff --git a/helpers/food_helpers.py b/helpers/food_helpers.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..911a5c7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/helpers/food_helpers.py
@@ -0,0 +1,123 @@
+from typing import List, Dict, Optional, Union, Any
+from datetime import datetime
+from sqlalchemy.orm import Session
+from sqlalchemy import and_, or_
+from models.food import Food
+from schemas.food import FoodCreate, FoodUpdate
+
+def get_menu_items(db: Session, active_only: bool = True) -> List[Food]:
+    """
+    Get list of food items in the menu.
+    
+    Args:
+        db: Database session
+        active_only: If True, returns only active menu items
+        
+    Returns:
+        List of Food objects from the menu
+    """
+    query = db.query(Food)
+    if active_only:
+        query = query.filter(Food.is_active == True)
+    return query.all()
+
+def filter_menu_by_category(
+    db: Session, 
+    category: str,
+    active_only: bool = True
+) -> List[Food]:
+    """
+    Filter menu items by category.
+    
+    Args:
+        db: Database session
+        category: Food category to filter by
+        active_only: If True, returns only active menu items
+        
+    Returns:
+        List of Food objects filtered by category
+    """
+    query = db.query(Food).filter(Food.category == category)
+    if active_only:
+        query = query.filter(Food.is_active == True)
+    return query.all()
+
+def search_menu_items(
+    db: Session,
+    search_term: str,
+    active_only: bool = True
+) -> List[Food]:
+    """
+    Search menu items by name or description.
+    
+    Args:
+        db: Database session
+        search_term: Term to search for in name/description
+        active_only: If True, returns only active menu items
+        
+    Returns:
+        List of matching Food objects
+    """
+    search = f"%{search_term}%"
+    query = db.query(Food).filter(
+        or_(
+            Food.name.ilike(search),
+            Food.description.ilike(search)
+        )
+    )
+    if active_only:
+        query = query.filter(Food.is_active == True)
+    return query.all()
+
+def get_food_by_price_range(
+    db: Session,
+    min_price: float,
+    max_price: float,
+    active_only: bool = True
+) -> List[Food]:
+    """
+    Get menu items within a price range.
+    
+    Args:
+        db: Database session
+        min_price: Minimum price
+        max_price: Maximum price
+        active_only: If True, returns only active menu items
+        
+    Returns:
+        List of Food objects within price range
+    """
+    query = db.query(Food).filter(
+        and_(
+            Food.price >= min_price,
+            Food.price <= max_price
+        )
+    )
+    if active_only:
+        query = query.filter(Food.is_active == True)
+    return query.order_by(Food.price.asc()).all()
+
+def format_menu_response(foods: List[Food]) -> List[Dict[str, Any]]:
+    """
+    Format menu items for API response.
+    
+    Args:
+        foods: List of Food objects
+        
+    Returns:
+        List of formatted food dictionaries
+    """
+    return [
+        {
+            "id": food.id,
+            "name": food.name,
+            "description": food.description,
+            "price": float(food.price),
+            "category": food.category,
+            "is_available": food.is_active,
+            "image_url": food.image_url,
+            "allergens": food.allergens,
+            "nutritional_info": food.nutritional_info
+        }
+        for food in foods
+    ]
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