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Greetings, Katherine!  First, I'd say that any organic material that can be avoided in historic houses is better than trying (and, usually failing) to repserve with a coating.  As you seem to have discovered, there are many "museum-source" retailers that will sell you replica food, but at a high cost.  You can prowl dollar stores and similar retailers and find reasonably good facsimiles of fruit and vegetables.  Where you might have to spend more, would be joints of meat and that sort of thing.  But again, it will be a one-time expense, and in my opinion, well worth it.  Vivian 

Hi Katherine,

An eon ago, I stumbled on this website: https://displayfakefoods.com/

I've never used them so all I have to offer is the link. Have a look and see if they could be the answer you're looking for.

Best,

Jennifer

Perhaps 3D printing might work.  3D printing technology has really developed over the past few years.  Commercial-grade printers are very pricey but now there are custom, on-line 3D printing services that may work for you.

Try a web search for "custom 3d printing"

Hope this helps!

Ken, Phila. Sports Hall of Fame

I have purchased items from displayfakefoods.com, but they are pricey!  Because I couldn't always find what I wanted, and because of prices, I few years ago, I started making my own fake food items.  Some things are easier to make than others.  I love the challenge and creative outlet!  

Hi Katherine,

Yes, what is currently being done is not a good way to do it. You should be able to ask your primary foodservice distributor (like Sysco) who they recommend. Also, it is common to see the artificially made food/menu items in Asian Restaurants. If you see anything you like recommend asking the owner of that Asian restaurant if they can refer prospective  sources for you. And, of course, search the Internet as likely there will be sources there too. Good Luck, Art Manask

I believe the very best place to find fake food would be at thrift stores in the home decor areas. The fake foods that were made mid-century are very high quality and were a popular form of table decor at the time. You would also be recycling these products into a new life and doing good for the community with a thrift store purchase. This might take some time and multiple visits to acquire all that you need, but you may find that you gather other inspiration there for additional projects. 

In my view, the master of faux food was a Houston professional artist named Henri Gadbois, who discovered late in life that he had a gift for creating faux food. Sadly, he died several years ago in his 90s and almost nothing is available on the market. That said, there is a porcelain artist in Austin (TX) who creates gorgeous sculptures of vegetables and I plan to talk to her later this summer about possibly branching into this area because it is so hard to find beautiful and stable faux food. If she's interested, I will update this thread.