What you need for a breakfast campaign

A breakfast campaign needs more than bread, fruit and coffee. Plan for serving equipment, chilled storage, allergen information and a way to take payments if food is sold. Use your registrations and dietary requirements to estimate quantities, then add a small buffer for late arrivals and larger portions. The plan covers buffet furniture, crockery, preparation tools, hot drinks equipment, signs and basic payment setup.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 8
Chairsqty 70
Buffet tablesqty 3
Cash desk table
Tableclothqty 10

Tableware

Breakfast platesqty 80
Bowlsqty 70
Knivesqty 80
Forksqty 80
Spoonsqty 80
Coffee cupsqty 70
Drinking glassesqty 80
Serving traysqty 8
Serving spoonsqty 8

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 4
Bread knivesqty 4
Kitchen knivesqty 4
Measuring cupsqty 2
Mixing bowlsqty 4
Coolersqty 4

Equipment

Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Hot traysqty 4
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 4
Cash register
Payment terminal

Decorations

Menu boardsqty 4
Table numbersqty 8
Buntingqty 4

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 4
Bucketsqty 3
Mopsqty 3
Dish brushesqty 3
Hand soap dispensersqty 3

Catering

Groceries
- White casino bread - 12 loaves
- Whole grain bread - 8 loaves
- Gluten-free bread - 2 loaves
- Croissants - 70 pieces
- Mini sandwiches - 100 pieces
- Unsalted butter - 2 kilos
- Strawberry jam - 3 jars
- Apricot jam - 2 jars
- Peanut butter - 3 jars
- Chocolate spread - 3 jars
- Chocolate sprinkles - 3 packs
- Young cheese - 4 kilos
- Brie - 2 kilos
- Back ham - 3 kilos
- Chicken breast - 2 kilos
- Smoked meat - 1 kilo
- Hummus - 2 kilos
- Herb cream cheese - 2 kilos
- Eggs - 10 dozen
- Bacon - 4 kilo
- Chicken sausages - 5 kilos
- Potatoes - 8 kilos
- Cherry tomatoes - 4 kilos
- Cucumbers - 6 pieces
- Bell peppers - 3 kilos
- Mushrooms - 3 kilo
- Lettuce - 6 heads
- Apples - 8 kilos
- Bananas - 6 kilos
- Grapes - 5 kilos
- Yogurt - 12 liters
- Muesli - 4 kilos
- Honey - 2 jars
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Tea - 3 boxes
- Sugar - 3 kilos
- Milk - 20 liters
- Oat milk - 6 liters
- Orange juice - 20 liters
- Apple juice - 10 liters
- Water - 12 bottles
- Cola - 6 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 2 jars
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Salt - 1 pack
- Pepper - 1 jar
- Paprika powder - 1 jar
- Olive oil - 2 bottles
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 3 bottles
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 2 rolls
- Hand soap - 3 bottles
- Paper napkins - 200 pieces
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Disposable gloves - 4 boxes

Tips

For the first hour, allow around two to three drinks per person, then reduce the estimate for later hours. Count coffee cups and drinking glasses separately if you serve both hot and cold drinks.
Buy fresh fruit and other chilled items as close to the event as practical, ideally within 24 hours. Keep coolers ready before collection so dairy, prepared toppings and cut fruit do not sit at room temperature.
Plan one breakfast plate, one bowl, one knife, one fork and one spoon per guest, plus at least 10% extra. Add serving trays and serving spoons so guests do not use the tableware for buffet food.
Check power requirements before buying or borrowing coffee machines, kettles and hot trays. Bring extension cords and power strips, and test the setup at least one day before the campaign.
Print menu boards and allergen information before shopping is finished, because substitutions can change the final menu. Prepare table numbers and signs at least 24 hours ahead so volunteers are not assembling them during setup.

Frequently asked questions

How much food do I need for a breakfast campaign?: Use your registration total as the starting point and add 10% for walk-ins and larger portions. For items with limited shelf life, confirm the final number of guests 24 hours before shopping and adjust the order then.
How many plates and cups should I buy for a breakfast event?: Plan one plate, bowl, knife, fork, spoon and coffee cup per guest, plus 10% spare. If guests may return for a second drink, count about 1.5 to 2 drinking glasses per person.
When should I buy fruit and chilled breakfast items?: Buy fresh produce and chilled products within 24 hours of the event when possible. Prepare coolers before collection and keep the products chilled until they are placed on the buffet.
What equipment do I need to serve coffee at a breakfast campaign?: Allow one working coffee machine or kettle for roughly 25 to 30 guests, depending on the serving speed. Check sockets, extension cords and power strips at least one day beforehand, and prepare enough coffee cups for every registered guest plus 10% extra.

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