What to buy and bring for a farmers' market

A farmers' market needs more than products and tables. You also need a clear way to serve food, keep perishable stock cold, take payments and direct visitors around the site. Use this list to check quantities before setup, especially for reusable cups, coffee supplies, crates, power equipment and signage. Confirm stall and table numbers after vendor registration, because those totals determine much of what you need to bring.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Market stallsqty 12
Party tentsqty 4
Tablesqty 18
Folding chairsqty 60
Beer tablesqty 6
Tableclothsqty 18
Cratesqty 30

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 150
Coffee cupsqty 80
Platesqty 100
Knivesqty 100
Forksqty 100
Spoonsqty 100
Serving plattersqty 12
Serving tongsqty 8

Equipment

Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Coolersqty 6
Extension cordsqty 6
Power stripsqty 6
Handheld microphone
Battery speaker
Cash register
Payment terminal

Decorations

Buntingqty 8
Chalkboardsqty 14
Prize card holdersqty 30
Flower arrangementsqty 8
Wayfinding signsqty 10

Lighting

LED light stringsqty 8
LED lampsqty 12

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef’s knives and bread knivesqty 6
Measuring cupsqty 2
Thermos flasksqty 6
Chilled tablewareqty 4
Aluminum traysqty 12
Oven mittsqty 4

Cleaning

Cleaning kitsqty 3
Bucketsqty 4
Broom setsqty 3
Mop setsqty 3

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Decaf coffee - 1 pack
- Black tea - 2 boxes
- Herbal tea - 1 box
- Sugar - 2 kilos
- Milk - 12 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Lemons - 2 kilos
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Iced tea - 8 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 18 bottles
- Spa Rood - 8 bottles
- Apple juice - 8 cartons
- Orange juice - 8 packs
- Lemonade syrup - 3 bottles
- Ice cubes - 20 kilo
- Baguettes - 12 pieces
- Whole grain bread - 8 loaves
- Bread rolls - 80 pieces
- Unsalted butter - 2 kilos
- Young cheese - 3 kilos
- Brie - 2 kilos
- Hummus - 2 kilos
- Cucumbers - 3 kilos
- Tomatoes - 4 kilos
- Arugula - 1 kilo
- Eggs - 60 pieces
- Shortcrust pastry - 6 packs
- Apples - 8 kilos
- Pears - 6 kilos
- Grapes - 5 kilos
- Strawberries - 4 kilos
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Mixed nuts - 3 kilo
- Olives - 2 kilos
- Pickles - 2 jars
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Olive oil - 2 liters
- Salt - 1 kilo
- Black pepper - 250 grams
- Paprika powder - 250 gram
- Garlic powder - 100 grams
- Fresh basil - 10 bunches
- Fresh parsley - 6 bunches
- Honey - 3 jars
- Jam - 4 jars
- Apple pie - 8 pieces
- Cookies - 6 packs
- Brownies - 6 trays
- Napkins - 500 pieces
- Paper straws - 300 pieces
- Baking paper - 3 rolls
- Aluminum foil - 3 rolls
- Cling film - 3 rolls
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Trash bags - 80 pcs
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Hand soap - 6 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 6 bottles
- Dish soap - 4 bottles
- Cleaning wipes - 12 packs
- All-purpose cleaner - 4 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 2 bottles
- Rubber gloves - 12 pairs

Tips

Plan at least one table or display surface per stall, then add one extra table for shared supplies, paperwork or overflow stock. Bring two to four crates per vendor so produce and boxes stay off the ground.
For drinks, allow two to three reusable cups per visitor if you have washing or collection facilities. Add coffee cups, plates, knives, forks, spoons, serving platters and serving tongs based on your expected attendance rather than vendor numbers alone.
Keep chilled goods in coolers until they are needed. Prepare one cooler for each product group that must stay separate, and pack enough ice or cold packs to cover the full trading period plus setup time.
Count extension cords and power strips before delivery: allow one suitable connection for each coffee machine, kettle or other powered item, with a spare extension cord for the busiest area. Keep cables away from walkways and mark them clearly.
Prepare wayfinding signs, chalkboards and price card holders before vendors arrive. Bring at least one sign for each entrance and key area, and check every price card during setup so visitors do not have to ask for basic information.

Frequently asked questions

How much equipment do I need for a farmers' market?: Start with one stall, table and basic display area per registered vendor, then add one shared table for administration or overflow. For serving, allow roughly two to three cups per visitor and two to four crates per vendor.
How many reusable cups should I buy for a farmers' market?: Allow two to three reusable cups per expected visitor when cups are collected or washed during the market. For 100 visitors, that means 200 to 300 cups, plus a small reserve if washing is not available.
How do I keep farmers' market food cold?: Use coolers for every category of perishable stock and keep them closed until service. Have the cold storage ready before vendors unload, and allow enough ice or cold packs for the entire market and setup period.
What should I bring for taking payments at a farmers' market?: Bring a cash register, payment terminal and enough change for the first trading period. Exchange cash before opening and test the terminal and power supply at least 30 minutes before visitors arrive.

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