What to Buy for a Charity Market

A charity market needs more than goods to sell. You also need a practical setup for stalls, refreshments, payments, signs and volunteer work. Plan tableware and chilled items around your expected visitor count, then check power and lighting before shopping. Cash, card payments, price labels and storage are easy to arrange late, so include them in your first purchase check rather than leaving them until setup day.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentsqty 2
Market stallsqty 10
Tablesqty 12
Chairsqty 40
Stoolsqty 8
Tableclothsqty 12
Clothes racksqty 4
Storage boxesqty 12

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 150
Coffee cupsqty 80
Platesqty 80
Platesqty 100
Bowlsqty 60
Cutlery setsqty 100
Serving boardsqty 12
Serving spoonsqty 8

Equipment

Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Coolersqty 4
Power stripsqty 6
Extension cordsqty 6
Cash registersqty 2
Card machinesqty 2
Handheld microphone

Lighting

LED light stringsqty 6
Work lightsqty 4

Decorations

Buntingqty 8
Balloonsqty 100
Balloon pumpqty 2
Promotional signsqty 6
Directional signsqty 8
Information boardsqty 4
Price sign holdersqty 30

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef's knivesqty 4
Mixing bowlsqty 6
Pliersqty 8
Measuring cupsqty 2
Thermos flasksqty 6
Water jugsqty 6
Cooling platesqty 8
Aluminum foilqty 4
Cling filmqty 4
Serving plattersqty 12

Cleaning

Bucketsqty 4
Mopsqty 4
Broom setsqty 3
Dustpan and brushqty 3
Cleaning glovesqty 12

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Decaf coffee - 1 pack
- Black tea - 2 boxes
- Herbal tea - 1 box
- Cocoa powder - 1 pack
- Sugar - 2 kilos
- Mints - 1 box
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Lemons - 2 kilos
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Sparkling water - 12 bottles
- Still water - 18 bottles
- Apple juice - 8 cartons
- Orange juice - 8 packs
- Beer - 4 crates
- Alcohol-free beer - 2 crates
- Paper straws - 200 pieces
- Cinnamon - 1 jar
- Cookies - 8 packs
- Unsalted butter - 2 packs
- Mini croissants - 100 pieces
- Mini muffins - 100 pieces
- Mini brownies - 80 pieces
- Apple pie - 6 pieces
- Whipped cream - 12 cans
- Whole grain bread - 8 loaves
- White bread - 8 loaves
- Currant buns - 60 pieces
- Unsalted butter - 2 packs
- Young cheese - 3 kilos
- Boiled ham - 2 kilos
- Chicken breast slices - 2 kilos
- Hummus - 12 tubs
- Peanut butter - 3 jars
- Strawberry jam - 3 jars
- Chocolate sprinkles - 2 packs
- Cucumbers - 10 pieces
- Tomatoes - 3 kilos
- Arugula - 6 bags
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Tortilla chips - 6 bags
- Salted peanuts - 4 bags
- Olives - 6 jars
- Salted sticks - 6 bags
- Mayonnaise - 3 bottles
- Ketchup - 3 bottles
- Mustard - 2 bottles
- Garlic sauce - 2 bottles
- Tomato salsa - 6 jars
- Bananas - 4 kilos
- Apples - 5 kilo
- Grapes - 4 kilos
- Mandarins - 4 kilo
- Strawberries - 3 kilos
- Disposable napkins - 500 pieces
- Paper table runners - 12 rolls
- Baking paper - 4 rolls
- Aluminum foil - 4 rolls
- Plastic wrap - 4 rolls
- Plastic bags - 200 pieces
- Coffee filters - 200 pieces
- Dish soap - 4 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 4 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 2 bottles
- Disinfectant spray - 3 bottles
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 100 pieces
- Hand soap - 6 bottles
- Paper hand towels - 6 packs
- Coffee cups - 200 pieces
- Tea bags - 200 pieces
- Ice cubes - 20 kilo
- Coolant - 6 bags
- Napkin dispensers - 6 pieces
- Labels - 500 pieces

Payment methods

Cash boxesqty 2
Change boxesqty 4
Coupon bookletsqty 6
Cash bagsqty 100
QR code cardsqty 8

Office

Pensqty 20
Waterproof markersqty 12
Notepadsqty 10
Rolls of tapeqty 8
Scissorsqty 6
Rope rollsqty 4
Poster puttyqty 6
Clipboardsqty 6
Glue Sticksqty 6

Safety

Cable matsqty 8
Barrier tapeqty 4
Flashlightsqty 4
Work glovesqty 12

Transport

Transport cartsqty 2
Foldable cratesqty 12
Tarpaulinsqty 4

Tips

Plan one table or stall surface for each trading area, plus at least one separate table for refreshments and one for the register. Add storage boxes so stock and personal items stay off the floor.
For refreshments, allow two to three drinks per visitor during the first hour and buy cups, plates, bowls and cutlery for the busiest service period, not the average hour. Collect chilled goods as close to opening as possible.
Prepare change in several denominations and test the cash register and card machine at least one day before the market. Keep a small reserve of change separate from the main takings.
Check every power outlet before buying or placing coffee machines, kettles, lights and card equipment. Use extension cords and power strips only where they can be secured safely and do not cross busy walkways.
Buy or print price tags and promotional signs before goods are sorted. Bring spare labels, marker pens and tape; missing prices slow down sales and are commonly noticed only after stalls open.

Frequently asked questions

What food and drink do I need for a charity market?: Estimate food and drink from expected visitors and service hours. For drinks, allow two to three per person in the first hour, then add a reserve of around 10% for unexpected demand. Buy chilled goods on the day or within 24 hours of opening when possible.
How many cups and plates should I buy for a charity market?: For reusable tableware, plan one cup per expected active customer and keep at least 20% extra available for busy periods or delayed washing. Match plates, bowls and cutlery to the number of food portions you expect to serve, with a 10% spare supply.
What payment supplies are needed for a charity market?: Prepare a cash register, a card machine and enough change in at least three denominations. Test card payments and charging cables at least 24 hours before opening, and keep a written backup record method in case the connection fails.
When should I buy supplies for a charity market?: Buy non-perishable items such as signs, labels, tableware and extension cords at least one week ahead. Check the complete shopping list 48 hours before the market, then collect chilled goods and final refreshments on the day before or morning of the event.

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