What you need for a farmers market

A farmers market needs more than tables and products. Plan for separate equipment for stalls, food preparation, serving, cooling, payments and visitor information. This checklist covers practical supplies such as tents, market stalls, folding tables, transport carts, crockery, knives, coffee equipment and coolers. Buy or collect disposable and printed items early, then check chilled goods and drinks again on the day before the market.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentsqty 4
Market stallsqty 12
Foldable tablesqty 10
Beer tablesqty 6
Chairsqty 80
Stoolsqty 12
Folding chair tablesqty 2
Clothes racksqty 4
Transport cartsqty 3
Parasol basesqty 6

Tableware

Platesqty 120
Bowlsqty 60
Mugsqty 100
Drinking glassesqty 120
Wine glassesqty 60
Forksqty 120
Knivesqty 120
Spoonsqty 120
Serving spoonsqty 12
Serving traysqty 12

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 6
Chef’s knives and bread knivesqty 8
Mixing bowlsqty 8
Storage binsqty 12
Thermos flasksqty 8
Kettlesqty 3
Coffee machinesqty 3
Hot platesqty 4
Coolersqty 8
Coolersqty 4
Pliersqty 12
Measuring cupsqty 4
Kitchen scalesqty 2

Equipment

Extension cordsqty 8
Power stripsqty 8
Cash boxesqty 3
Card machinesqty 3
Flashlightsqty 6
Handheld microphonesqty 2
Portable speakersqty 2

Lighting

String lightsqty 8
LED lampsqty 12
Battery lanternsqty 8

Decorations

Diaper clothsqty 12
Welcome sign
Stand number signsqty 12
Signage boardsqty 10
Name badge holdersqty 20
Chalkboardsqty 12
Buntingqty 8
Farm Flower Arrangementsqty 8
Market basketsqty 20
Price holdersqty 30

Cleaning

Broom setsqty 4
Floor squeegeesqty 2
Bucketsqty 6
Cleaning clothsqty 24
Waste binsqty 12
Toilet brushesqty 3
Hand soap dispensersqty 6

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Tea bags - 250 pieces
- Cocoa powder - 2 packs
- Sugar - 4 kg
- Milk - 20 liters
- Oat milk - 6 liters
- Lemons - 3 kg
- Still mineral water - 12 bottles
- Sparkling mineral water - 8 bottles
- Cola - 8 bottles
- Cola Zero - 8 bottles
- Sinas - 6 bottles
- Apple juice - 8 cartons
- Orange juice - 8 packs
- Lemonade syrup - 4 bottles
- Beer - 8 crates
- Alcohol-free beer - 3 cases
- Rosé - 12 bottles
- White wine - 12 bottles
- Red wine - 8 bottles
- Sparkling wine - 4 bottles
- Ice cubes - 20 kg
- Farmhouse bread - 18 loaves
- Whole wheat bread - 10 loaves
- Baguettes - 12 pieces
- Mini rolls - 150 pieces
- Butter - 3 kg
- Young cheese - 5 kg
- Aged cheese - 4 kg
- Goat cheese - 2 kg
- Cream cheese - 2 kg
- Ham - 3 kg
- Chicken breast slices - 3 kg
- Hummus - 2 kg
- Egg salad - 2 kg
- Herb butter - 2 kg
- Cucumbers - 5 kg
- Tomatoes - 6 kg
- Lettuce - 12 heads
- Bell peppers - 4 kg
- Arugula - 1 kg
- Pickles - 4 jars
- Red onion - 2 kg
- Apples - 15 kg
- Pears - 10 kg
- Grapes - 8 kg
- Strawberries - 6 kg
- Nut mix - 4 kg
- Raisins - 2 kg
- Farmer's cake - 12 pieces
- Apple pie - 8 pieces
- Cookies - 8 packs
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Pretzels - 6 bags
- Mayonnaise - 3 bottles
- Ketchup - 3 bottles
- Mustard - 3 jars
- Pesto - 4 jars
- Olive oil - 2 liters
- Salt - 1 kg
- Pepper - 500 grams
- Paprika powder - 250 gram
- Italian herbs - 250 grams
- Cinnamon - 200 grams
- Baking spray - 2 cans
- Baking paper - 4 rolls
- Aluminum foil - 4 rolls
- Napkins - 500 pieces
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 48 rolls
- Trash bags - 150 pieces
- Garbage bags for glass - 20 pieces
- Dish soap - 4 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 4 bottles
- Toilet cleaner - 6 bottles
- Hand soap - 6 bottles
- Disinfectant spray - 4 bottles
- Sponges - 20 pieces
- Nitrile gloves - 6 boxes
- Aluminum trays - 100 pieces
- Plastic wrap - 4 rolls
- Paper bags - 250 pieces
- Cardboard coffee cups - 300 pieces
- Cardboard snack trays - 300 pieces
- Wooden stirrers - 500 pieces
- Straws - 300 pieces
- Skewers - 500 pieces
- Receipt rolls - 6 rolls
- Cash change - 1 stock
- AA batteries - 24 pieces
- AAA batteries - 24 pieces
- Cable ties - 200 pieces
- Duct tape - 6 rolls
- Marking chalk - 6 pieces
- Paper tape - 6 rolls

Tips

Plan at least one table per stall, then add a separate table for shared registration, information or payments. Bring transport carts if equipment must move across the site.
Allow two to three drinks per person for the first hour when stocking refreshments, and keep extra water available for stallholders working outdoors.
Use at least one cooler for chilled food and a separate cooler for drinks where possible. Check that both are cold before loading them, ideally the evening before.
Prepare serving equipment in groups: plates, bowls, mugs, glasses, cutlery, serving spoons and trays. Pack a separate set of cutting boards and kitchen knives so food preparation does not use serving equipment.
Print the exhibitor list, site map, name badges, price lists and receipt sheets at least one day ahead. Keep spare copies in a storage bin in case signs are damaged or misplaced.

Frequently asked questions

What should I buy for a farmers market?: Plan for stalls, tents, folding tables, chairs or stools, signage, price lists, receipts, servingware, kitchen tools, coolers and drinks. Check the final shopping list at least 24 hours before setup so missing supplies can still be replaced.
How many tables do I need for a farmers market?: Start with one table for each stallholder and add at least one shared table for information, registration or payments. Confirm the exact number after stall places are assigned, preferably three to seven days before the event.
How much food and drink should I prepare for a farmers market?: For refreshments, allow two to three drinks per person during the first hour, then adjust for the expected opening time and visitor numbers. Prepare sandwiches and snacks in batches, and keep chilled items in coolers until serving.
When should I prepare farmers market supplies?: Collect furniture, transport equipment and printed materials at least one day before the market. Chill drinks and check coolers the evening before, while fresh food should be checked and packed as close to opening time as practical.

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