What you need for a farmers’ market

A farmers’ market needs more than stalls and tables. You will need a practical setup for vendors, chilled goods, hot drinks, payments, information and customer flow. Plan every item before shopping, especially power equipment, cooling capacity and servingware, because these are easy to overlook and difficult to replace on market day. Use this list to check what must be bought, collected or brought to the venue before opening.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Market stallsqty 12
Party tentsqty 4
Foldable tablesqty 8
Beer tablesqty 6
Folding chairsqty 40
Bar stoolsqty 6
Cash register table
Information desk
Storage cabinetsqty 2
Parasol basesqty 4

Equipment

Coolersqty 4
Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Payment terminal
Extension cordsqty 6
Power stripsqty 4
Handheld microphone
Portable speaker
Weighingqty 2
Calculatorsqty 2

Tableware

Coffee cupsqty 80
Glassesqty 100
Platesqty 80
Bowlsqty 40
Knivesqty 80
Forksqty 80
Spoonsqty 80
Serving traysqty 8
Soup ladlesqty 4
Bowlsqty 8

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef's knivesqty 4
Measuring cupsqty 3
Mixing bowlsqty 4
Serving spoonsqty 6
Thermos flasksqty 4
Cooling matsqty 8

Decorations

Colorful buntingqty 10
Market signsqty 12
Price tagsqty 100
Chalkboardsqty 8
Chalk markersqty 12
Fabric table runnersqty 12
Wooden cratesqty 20
Artificial flower arrangementsqty 8

Lighting

String lightsqty 6
LED lampsqty 12
Battery lanternsqty 6
Batteriesqty 24

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 8
Waste binsqty 4
Broom setsqty 3
Floor squeegeesqty 2
Bucketsqty 4
Cleaning clothsqty 20

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Tea assortment - 3 boxes
- Sugar - 2 kilos
- Milk - 12 liters
- Oat milk - 6 liters
- Coffee cream - 4 packets
- Chocolate milk - 6 liters
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Iced tea - 8 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 24 bottles
- Spa Rood - 12 bottles
- Apple juice - 8 cartons
- Orange juice - 8 packs
- Herbal tea - 2 boxes
- Unsalted butter - 2 kilos
- Young cheese - 3 kilos
- Aged cheese - 2 kilo
- Ham - 2 kilos
- Chicken breast topping - 2 kilos
- Hummus - 1 kilo
- Cream cheese - 1 kilo
- Eggs - 60 pieces
- Baguettes - 20 pieces
- Whole wheat bread - 12 loaves
- White rolls - 100 pieces
- Whole wheat rolls - 60 pieces
- Gluten-free sandwiches - 12 pieces
- Tomatoes - 4 kilos
- Cucumbers - 3 kilos
- Arugula - 1 kilo
- Lettuce - 8 heads
- Bell peppers - 3 kilos
- Red onions - 2 kilos
- Pickles - 2 jars
- Olives - 2 jars
- Mayonnaise - 2 jars
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Pesto - 3 jars
- Pepper - 1 jar
- Salt - 1 kilo
- Paprika powder - 1 jar
- Garlic powder - 1 jar
- Italian herbs - 1 jar
- Soup vegetables - 4 kilos
- Vegetable soup - 12 liters
- Bouillon cubes - 2 boxes
- Croutons - 4 bags
- Butter cookies - 8 packs
- Apple pie - 6 pieces
- Cake - 6 pieces
- Vegan cake - 3 pieces
- Gluten-free cookies - 4 packs
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Mixed nuts - 3 bags
- Grapes - 4 kilos
- Apples - 5 kilo
- Pears - 4 kg
- Bananas - 3 kilos
- Lemons - 2 kilos
- Ice cubes - 20 kilo
- Paper napkins - 500 pieces
- Bamboo skewers - 300 pieces
- Wooden stirrers - 300 pieces
- Paper straws - 200 pieces
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Liquid hand soap - 6 bottles
- Dish soap - 4 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 4 bottles
- Disinfectant spray - 4 bottles
- Sponges - 12 pieces
- Scouring sponges - 8 pieces
- Rubber gloves - 12 pairs
- Trash bags - 100 pieces
- Large trash bags - 40 pieces
- Toilet paper - 48 rolls
- Paper towels - 12 packs
- Bandages - 2 boxes
- Cash change - 300 euros
- Market vouchers - 500 pieces
- Ballpoint pens - 20 pieces
- Notepads - 6 pieces

Tips

Plan one stall space per confirmed vendor, then keep at least one extra table available for information, storage or last-minute changes. Confirm the final stall count before collecting furniture and tents.
Check the venue’s power points before buying or transporting equipment. Use extension cords and power strips only where the available supply can safely support coffee machines, kettles and payment equipment.
Allow two to three cups per visitor if hot drinks are served, and bring extra cups, plates, bowls, cutlery and serving trays for busy periods. Disposable items are often used faster than expected during the first hour.
Keep chilled goods in coolers until the stalls are ready to open. Load coolers last, check the weather forecast the day before, and arrange enough shaded storage for food that should not sit in direct sun.
Prepare the payment and information points before vendors arrive. Set up the cash register table, payment terminal, calculators, contact list and microphone or speaker together so volunteers can find everything within the first 15 minutes.

Frequently asked questions

What do I need for a farmers’ market stall?: Plan a market stall or tent, a table, suitable seating, signage, payment equipment and storage for stock. For food or drinks, add coolers, serving trays, cups, plates, bowls and cutlery, then check the setup at least 2 hours before opening.
How many tables do I need for a farmers’ market?: Start with at least 1 table or counter per vendor, plus 1 information or registration table and 1 spare table for storage or overflow. Confirm the vendor count before collecting furniture, preferably 3 to 7 days in advance.
How much servingware should I buy for a farmers’ market?: For each expected visitor, allow at least 1 cup or plate if food and drinks are served, then add a 10–20% reserve. Keep extra bowls, spoons, forks, knives and serving trays ready because replacements are rarely available once the market is open.
What should I prepare the day before a farmers’ market?: Buy or collect chilled goods, servingware, signage, power accessories and payment supplies the day before. Check the weather forecast, confirm vendor attendance and pack coolers and equipment so setup can begin at least 2 hours before opening.

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