What you need for an autumn market

An autumn market needs more than products for sale. Plan for stall setup, serving drinks and food, collecting payments, guiding visitors and keeping chilled items cold. This list covers the practical supplies that are easy to overlook, from stall weights and cable ties to cups, serving jugs and change for the register. Buy non-perishable items first, then schedule chilled groceries and fresh supplies close to the market day.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Market stallsqty 12
Party tentsqty 6
Tablesqty 14
Folding chairsqty 40
High tablesqty 4
Tableclothsqty 18
Booth dividersqty 12
Stall weightsqty 24
Storage cratesqty 12

Tableware

Coffee cupsqty 80
Glassesqty 100
Platesqty 100
Bowlsqty 60
Forksqty 100
Knivesqty 80
Spoonsqty 80
Serving spoonsqty 12
Serving traysqty 10
Thermos flasksqty 8
Serving jugsqty 6

Decorations

Autumn leavesqty 8
Hay balesqty 12
Pumpkinsqty 20
String lightsqty 8
Buntingqty 12
Table décorqty 14
Table signsqty 12
Name badgesqty 30
Cable tiesqty 100
Adhesive tapeqty 6

Equipment

Coffee machinesqty 3
Kettlesqty 3
Coolersqty 6
Extension cordsqty 8
Power stripsqty 6
Battery lampsqty 8
Handheld microphone
Megaphone

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 6
Chef's knivesqty 4
Mixing bowlsqty 6
Measuring jugsqty 4
Serving tongsqty 8
Aluminum foilqty 4
Cling filmqty 4
Kitchen scale
Induction hobsqty 2
Food warmersqty 4
Cutting board matsqty 4

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 8
Bucketsqty 4
Mopsqty 4
Broom setsqty 3
Dustpan and brushqty 4
Cleaning glovesqty 8
Hand soap dispensersqty 4
Towel rollsqty 6

Lighting

Outdoor lightsqty 8
Power extension cordsqty 4

Catering

Cash register
Cash box
Price tagsqty 80
Menusqty 12
Napkinsqty 500
Paper cupsqty 250
Parchment paperqty 4
Takeaway containersqty 150
Wooden stir sticksqty 250
Groceries
- Coffee - 2.5 kilograms
- Tea - 200 bags
- Sugar - 2 kilograms
- Milk - 12 liters
- Oat milk - 6 liters
- Whipped cream - 4 aerosol cans
- Hot chocolate - 8 liters
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 8 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Apple juice - 8 cartons
- Sparkling juice - 6 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 12 bottles
- Spa Rood - 6 bottles
- Ice cubes - 15 kilograms
- Apples - 8 kilograms
- Pears - 6 kilogram
- Grapes - 4 kilograms
- Mandarins - 5 kilograms
- Walnuts - 2 kilograms
- Raisins - 1 kilogram
- Honey - 2 jars
- Applesauce - 6 jars
- Pumpkin soup - 20 liters
- Vegetable stock - 2 packs
- Onions - 3 kilograms
- Garlic - 6 bulbs
- Pumpkins for soup - 12 kilogram
- Carrots - 5 kilograms
- Celery - 3 stalks
- Cream - 4 liters
- Pepper - 1 jar
- Salt - 1 kilogram
- Curry powder - 1 jar
- Nutmeg - 1 jar
- Olive oil - 2 bottles
- Baguettes - 30 pieces
- Multigrain bread - 12 loaves
- Bread rolls - 100 pieces
- Butter - 3 kilograms
- Young cheese - 4 kilograms
- Brie - 2 kilograms
- Hummus - 2 kilograms
- Cream cheese - 2 kilograms
- Ham - 3 kilograms
- Chicken breast slices - 3 kilograms
- Arugula - 1 kilogram
- Lettuce - 2 kilograms
- Cucumbers - 3 kilograms
- Tomatoes - 4 kilogram
- Bell peppers - 3 kilograms
- Pickles - 2 jars
- Mayonnaise - 2 jars
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Pretzels - 5 bags
- Spiced biscuits - 4 kilograms
- Spiced biscuits - 5 packs
- Apple pie - 8 pieces
- Cream puffs - 6 boxes
- Vegan cookies - 5 packs
- Gluten-free cookies - 3 packs
- Cinnamon - 2 jars
- Vanilla sugar - 4 sachets
- Flour - 2 kilograms
- Eggs - 30 pieces
- Puff pastry - 12 packs
- Parmesan cheese - 1 kilogram
- Tortilla chips - 6 bags
- Salsa sauce - 4 jars
- Bananas - 4 kilogram
- Lemons - 2 kilograms
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 3 bottles
- Disinfectant - 2 bottles
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 80 pcs
- Freezer bags - 4 boxes
- Aluminum trays - 100 pieces

Tips

Buy at least one set of stall weights for every tent or freestanding stall, and add extra cable ties and adhesive tape for signs, decorations and loose covers.
Allow one coffee cup, glass, plate, bowl, fork, knife and spoon per expected visitor if washing facilities are limited. Add serving spoons, trays, thermos flasks and serving jugs separately so serving equipment is not used up by guests.
Keep chilled products in insulated storage with ice packs from the moment you collect them. Check the forecast 24 hours before setup and protect food, tablecloths and paper goods from rain.
Prepare the register before opening with enough small notes and coins for change, and keep a separate storage crate for cash, receipts, spare supplies and participant paperwork.
Pack decorations and signage in labelled crates: booth numbers, table signs, name badges, bunting, string lights and autumn items should be ready before stalls are assembled. Test lighting and check power outlets before visitors arrive.

Frequently asked questions

What should I buy for an autumn market?: Plan supplies in five groups: stall equipment, serving items, decorations and signs, payment materials, and food or drinks. For each stall, allow a table, a tablecloth, a booth sign and suitable weights if it is outdoors.
How many cups and plates do I need for an autumn market?: Allow one cup, glass, plate, bowl and full set of cutlery per expected visitor when there is no washing-up point. For a market with 100 visitors, that means at least 100 of each item, plus 10% spare for breakage and unexpected demand.
When should I buy food for an autumn market?: Buy non-perishable groceries several days beforehand and sort them into labelled crates. Buy chilled or fresh products no earlier than 24 hours before the market, then keep them cold until serving.
How many stall weights do I need for an outdoor autumn market?: Use at least one weight for each tent leg, unless the tent supplier specifies another setup. A standard four-legged party tent therefore needs a minimum of four weights, with extra protection in exposed or windy conditions.

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