What you need for an autumn market

An autumn market needs more than stalls and tables. Plan for wet weather, hot drinks, soup service, exhibitors carrying stock, and visitors who stay longer than expected. This shopping list covers the practical equipment and serving supplies needed to set up the market, run a coffee and soup station, and keep materials dry during the day. Check quantities against the number of stalls, exhibitors and expected visitors before buying or reserving anything.

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What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Furniture

Party tentsqty 4
Market stallsqty 12
Tablesqty 10
Folding chairsqty 40
High tablesqty 6
Dressing tablesqty 2
Tablecloth racksqty 4
Parasolsqty 2
Wind weightsqty 16
Storage binsqty 12

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 180
Coffee cupsqty 120
Soup bowlsqty 100
Dinner platesqty 120
Cake platesqty 120
Forksqty 120
Knivesqty 120
Spoonsqty 160
Serving spoonsqty 8
Soup ladlesqty 12
Carafesqty 12

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 6
Chef's knivesqty 6
Mixing bowlsqty 8
Serving plattersqty 12
Thermos flasksqty 8
Soup kettlesqty 3
Food storage boxesqty 12
Kitchen tongsqty 8
Measuring cupsqty 4

Equipment

Coffee machinesqty 3
Kettlesqty 3
Coolersqty 6
Extension cordsqty 8
Power stripsqty 8
Cable traysqty 12
Payment terminalsqty 2
Cash boxesqty 2
Handheld microphonesqty 2
Speakersqty 2
Toolboxesqty 2
Pruning shearsqty 2
Cable reelsqty 4
Hand trucksqty 2
Walkie-talkiesqty 6
Safety vestsqty 10

Lighting

String lightsqty 8
LED lampsqty 16
Battery lanternsqty 8

Decorations

Autumn leavesqty 6
Hay balesqty 12
Pumpkinsqty 30
Chalkboardsqty 12
Buntingqty 10
Table décorqty 12
Price listsqty 20

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 8
Broomsqty 4
Eye-catchersqty 4
Mopsqty 4
Bucketsqty 4
Cleaning clothsqty 20
Washing-up bowlsqty 4
Hand soap dispensersqty 6
Sanitizer pumpsqty 6
Toilet brushesqty 4

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 6 packs
- Decaf coffee - 1 pack
- Black tea - 2 boxes
- Herbal tea - 2 boxes
- Hot chocolate - 3 packs
- Semi-skimmed milk - 12 liters
- Oat milk - 6 liters
- Coffee creamer - 4 packs
- Granulated sugar - 3 kilos
- Sweeteners - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 2 kilo
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Bitter lemon - 6 bottles
- Apple juice - 8 cartons
- Orange juice - 8 packs
- Spa Blue - 5 crates
- Spa Red - 3 crates
- Non-alcoholic apple cider - 12 bottles
- Lemons - 3 kilos
- Apples - 8 kilos
- Pears - 5 kilo
- Grapes - 4 kilos
- Mandarins - 6 kilos
- Pumpkins for soup - 15 kilos
- Onions - 4 kilos
- Garlic - 5 bulbs
- Carrots - 5 kilos
- Leeks - 4 kilo
- Potatoes - 8 kilos
- Vegetable stock - 4 boxes
- Chicken broth - 2 boxes
- Cooking cream - 6 liters
- Coconut milk - 4 cans
- Olive oil - 2 liters
- Butter - 2 kilos
- Salt - 1 kilo
- Black pepper - 250 grams
- Curry powder - 250 grams
- Cumin powder - 150 grams
- Paprika powder - 150 grams
- Thyme - 100 grams
- Rosemary - 100 gram
- Parsley - 10 bunches
- Croutons - 3 bags
- Grated cheese - 3 kilos
- Sour cream - 3 kilo
- Baguettes - 25 pieces
- Whole wheat bread - 12 loaves
- Mini rolls - 150 pieces
- Mini croissants - 100 pieces
- Cheese slices - 3 kilos
- Ham - 2 kilos
- Chicken breast slices - 2 kilos
- Hummus - 2 kilos
- Cream cheese - 2 kilo
- Cucumbers - 3 kilos
- Tomatoes - 4 kilos
- Arugula - 1 kilo
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Mixed nuts - 5 bags
- Cookies - 8 packs
- Apple pies - 8 pieces
- Cake slices - 150 pieces
- Muffins - 100 pieces
- Spiced cookies - 8 packs
- Whipped cream - 12 cans
- Apple syrup - 4 jars
- Honey - 4 jars
- Cinnamon - 250 gram
- Vanilla sugar - 10 sachets
- Napkins - 600 pieces
- Paper soup bowls - 150 pieces
- Wooden stirrers - 300 pieces
- Baking paper - 3 rolls
- Aluminum foil - 3 rolls
- Cling film - 3 rolls
- Dish soap - 4 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 4 bottles
- Disinfectant spray - 4 bottles
- Hand soap - 6 bottles
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Trash bags - 100 pieces
- Paper towels - 12 packs
- Bandages - 2 boxes
- AA batteries - 24 pieces
- AAA batteries - 24 pieces

Tips

Plan one market stall or booth for each confirmed exhibitor, then keep at least one spare table available for shared supplies, information or late changes.
For the coffee and soup station, count separate cups, bowls, plates and cutlery for the expected rush rather than relying on one item per visitor. Reusable cups, coffee cups and soup bowls should be easy to replenish.
Autumn weather can change quickly. Arrange party tents, parasols and wind weights before the event, and use storage bins or food storage boxes to keep supplies dry during setup and service.
Reserve serving equipment as well as cooking equipment: soup kettles, thermos flasks, soup ladles, serving spoons, carafes and kitchen tongs are easy to overlook when the main focus is on food.
Buy or collect disposable essentials and backup supplies at least 2–3 days before opening. This gives you time to check the shopping list, store everything dry and replace missing items before exhibitors arrive.

Frequently asked questions

What do I need for an autumn market food and drink station?: Plan coffee cups, reusable cups, soup bowls, dinner and cake plates, forks, knives, spoons, serving spoons, soup ladles and carafes. Add soup kettles, thermos flasks, cutting boards, chef’s knives, mixing bowls and food storage boxes for preparation and service.
How many tables do I need for an autumn market?: Start with one table or market stall per exhibitor, then add tables for registration, information and the coffee and soup station. Keep at least one spare table available for overflow stock or a last-minute layout change.
What should I buy for bad weather at an autumn market?: Arrange party tents or other cover for exposed stalls, plus wind weights for every tent or parasol that can catch wind. Confirm the weather forecast 2–3 days beforehand and keep storage bins available for supplies that must stay dry.
When should I do the shopping for an autumn market?: Complete the main shopping 2–3 days before the market and check the full list immediately afterward. Buy fresh food closer to opening if needed, while storing equipment, tableware and dry goods in a clean, dry place.

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