Beverage and food carrier and dispensing systems therefor

A tray for carrying food product comprising a tray body having a bottom and side portions together forming a compartment in which liquid can be contained, wherein the tray is nestable with like trays for shipping and storage, and also stackable during use, wherein the tray is nestable with other trays when in a first orientation, and stackable when rotated with respect to another tray, thereby allowing two or more trays to be carried in one hand or stacked on a support surface, and wherein the tray includes a retaining structure on the bottom surface of the tray body for abutting a top portion of at least one associated beverage container, the retaining structure including male or female structures having an arcuate shape for at least partially surrounding the top portion of the at least one associated beverage container when the bottom of the tray body is rested thereupon, whereby movement of the tray relative to the at least one associated beverage container is restricted, the male or female structures including at least two half moon structures spaced apart for aligning with respective outer portions of two associated beverage containers placed in close proximity in a side-by-side configuration, and at least two middle arcs positioned between the half moon structures for aligning with opposite sides of a single associated beverage container.