What to Buy for a Farmer's Brunch

A farmer's brunch needs more than bread, eggs and fresh produce. Plan the shopping around your final guest count, dietary requirements and the time food will sit on the buffet. You will also need enough serving dishes, coffee equipment, glasses and cooling space for drinks. Buy fresh produce as close to the brunch as possible, while non-perishable supplies and tableware can be prepared several days ahead.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentqty 2
Beer tablesqty 8
Buffet tablesqty 3
Chairsqty 60
High tablesqty 4
Tableclothsqty 12

Tableware

Dinner platesqty 70
Bowlsqty 60
Coffee cupsqty 60
Drinking glassesqty 80
Wine glassesqty 60
Knivesqty 70
Forksqty 70
Spoonsqty 70
Coffee spoonsqty 60
Serving plattersqty 18
Serving tongsqty 10
Serving spoonsqty 8
Pitchersqty 8

Equipment

Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Coolersqty 4
Food warmersqty 6
Power stripsqty 4
Extension cordsqty 4

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 6
Chef’s knives and bread knivesqty 6
Mixing bowlsqty 6
Measuring cupsqty 3
Aluminum foilqty 2

Decorations

Card clipboardsqty 10
Flower arrangementsqty 8
Pins for labelsqty 30

Lighting

String lightsqty 4
Battery lanternsqty 6

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 4
Washing-up basinsqty 3
Bucketsqty 3
Broom and dustpanqty 2
Mopsqty 2

Catering

Groceries
- Farmhouse bread - 8 loaves
- Whole grain bread - 4 loaves
- Mini and crusty rolls - 80 pieces
- Unsalted butter - 1.5 kilograms
- Young cheese - 2 kilograms
- Aged cheese - 1.5 kilograms
- Brie - 1 kilogram
- Cream cheese - 1 kilogram
- Ham leg - 1.5 kilograms
- Farm-style ham - 1.5 kilogram
- Smoked chicken breast - 1 kilogram
- Hummus - 1 kilogram
- Eggs - 60 pieces
- Bacon lardons - 2 kilograms
- Baby potatoes - 5 kilograms
- Tomatoes - 3 kilograms
- Cucumbers - 2 kilograms
- Bell peppers - 2 kilograms
- Arugula - 1 kilogram
- Mixed salad - 1.5 kilograms
- Carrots - 2 kilogram
- Radishes - 4 bunches
- Red onions - 1 kilogram
- Mushrooms - 1,5 kilogram
- Fresh chives - 6 bunches
- Fresh parsley - 6 bunches
- Apples - 4 kilograms
- Pears - 3 kilograms
- Grapes - 3 kilograms
- Bananas - 30 pieces
- Strawberries - 2 kilograms
- Yogurt - 6 liter
- Muesli - 2 kilograms
- Honey - 2 jars
- Jam - 4 jars
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Olive oil - 2 bottles
- Balsamic vinegar - 1 bottle
- Salt - 1 pack
- Pepper - 1 jar
- Paprika powder - 1 jar
- Garlic - 6 bulbs
- Coffee - 2 kilograms
- Tea - 100 bags
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Sugar - 1 kilogram
- Orange juice - 12 liters
- Apple juice - 8 liters
- Spa Blauw - 12 bottles
- Spa Rood - 8 bottles
- Cola - 6 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Beer - 5 crates
- Non-alcoholic lager - 2 crates
- White wine - 12 bottles
- Rosé - 8 bottles
- Ice cubes - 15 kilograms
- Napkins - 200 pieces
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 40 pieces
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Sponges - 2 packs
- Hand soap - 3 bottles

Tips

Plan food portions from the confirmed guest count, then add a small buffer for popular buffet dishes. Finalise dietary requirements before buying ingredients so you can label allergy-friendly options separately.
Buy fresh produce one day before the brunch where possible. Bread, rolls, salads and cut vegetables are easy to underestimate, especially when the buffet is open for several hours.
Allow at least two drinking glasses per guest, plus separate wine glasses if wine is being served. Set out extra glasses near the drinks station so used ones do not quickly run out.
For coffee and tea, count one cup per guest for the first serving and keep spare cups, coffee spoons and kettles ready. Check the number of power sockets before bringing coffee machines, kettles or food warmers.
Bring enough platters, bowls, tongs and serving spoons for every buffet dish instead of sharing utensils between dishes. Keep foil, cutting boards and sharp knives available for last-minute preparation and covering leftovers.

Frequently asked questions

What food do I need for a farmer's brunch?: Buy a mix of fresh produce, bread and rolls, salads, spreads, desserts and drinks, based on the confirmed guest count. Add a small buffer to the portions of the main buffet dishes and check dietary requirements before shopping.
How many drinks should I buy for a farmer's brunch?: Plan roughly two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then about one drink per person for each additional hour. Include water and chilled non-alcoholic options, and allow extra cooling space for bottles and pitchers.
How much tableware do I need for a brunch buffet?: Provide at least one dinner plate, bowl, fork, knife and spoon per guest, plus around 10 percent extra. Add one serving utensil for each dish and enough glasses and coffee cups for the first round without immediate washing.
When should I buy fresh food for a farmer's brunch?: Buy vegetables, fruit, bread and other fresh produce one day before the brunch whenever possible. Prepare salads, spreads and cut vegetables close to serving time, while checking non-perishable supplies and equipment several days earlier.

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