Food market shopping list
A food market needs more than ingredients and drinks. You also need enough reusable plates, bowls, cups and cutlery, plus cooling, serving and payment equipment for every stall. Check power needs before buying or collecting appliances, and keep fresh produce separate from shelf-stable stock. Use this list alongside your event plan so supplies arrive before the first delivery slot and cold drinks are chilled in time.
What to bring
Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.
Furniture
- Party tentsqty 4
- Market stallsqty 12
- Tablesqty 18
- Folding chairsqty 80
- Beer tablesqty 10
- Stoolsqty 20
- Tableclothsqty 24
- Clothes racksqty 4
Tableware
- Reusable platesqty 180
- Reusable bowlsqty 120
- Reusable cupsqty 300
- Wine glassesqty 100
- Coffee cupsqty 80
- Forksqty 200
- Knivesqty 200
- Spoonsqty 180
- Serving spoonsqty 24
- Serving traysqty 20
Equipment
- Coffee machinesqty 3
- Kettlesqty 2
- Refrigeratorsqty 4
- Coolersqty 8
- Food warmersqty 6
- Induction hobsqty 4
- Extension cordsqty 10
- Cable reelsqty 5
- Power stripsqty 10
- Payment terminalsqty 4
- Cash registersqty 2
Kitchen
- Cutting boardsqty 12
- Chef’s knives and paring knivesqty 12
- Mixing bowlsqty 10
- Measuring cupsqty 6
- Pliersqty 16
- Ladlesqty 12
- Serving plattersqty 20
- Aluminum traysqty 60
- Foilqty 4
- Food storage containersqty 30
Decorations
- Buntingqty 12
- Menu boardsqty 14
- Chalkboardsqty 12
- Chalk markersqty 12
- Table décorqty 20
- Name badgesqty 180
- Directional signsqty 10
Lighting
- String lightsqty 8
- LED lampsqty 20
- Battery lanternsqty 10
Cleaning
- Waste binsqty 12
- Dustpans and brushesqty 4
- Mopsqty 4
- Bucketsqty 6
- Microfiber clothsqty 30
- Hand soap dispensersqty 8
- Hand sanitizer pumpsqty 8
Catering
- Groceries
- Coffee - 6 packs
- Tea - 8 boxes
- Sugar - 3 kilos
- Sweeteners - 2 boxes
- Milk - 12 liters
- Oat milk - 6 liters
- Lemons - 3 kilos
- Cola - 24 bottles
- Coke Zero - 24 bottles
- Sinas - 18 bottles
- Ice tea - 18 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 48 bottles
- Spa Red - 24 bottles
- Tonic - 12 bottles
- Ginger beer - 12 bottles
- Alcohol-free beer - 48 bottles
- Beer - 120 bottles
- White wine - 18 bottles
- Red wine - 10 bottles
- Rosé - 8 bottles
- Prosecco - 6 bottles
- Ice cubes - 30 kilo
- Lemonade - 12 liters
- Apple juice - 10 liters
- Orange juice - 10 liters
- Apples - 8 kilos
- Bananas - 6 kilos
- Grapes - 5 kilos
- Strawberries - 4 kilos
- Cucumbers - 5 kilos
- Cherry tomatoes - 5 kilo
- Arugula - 2 kilos
- Mixed salad - 4 kilo
- Red onions - 2 kilos
- Peppers - 4 kilos
- Mushrooms - 4 kilos
- Potatoes - 15 kilo
- Sweet potatoes - 8 kilos
- Garlic - 6 bulbs
- Fresh basil - 10 bunches
- Fresh parsley - 8 bunches
- Fresh mint - 6 bunches
- Lemon juice - 3 liters
- Olive oil - 3 liters
- Sunflower oil - 5 liter
- Balsamic vinegar - 2 bottles
- Red wine vinegar - 2 bottles
- Salt - 2 kilos
- Black pepper - 500 grams
- Paprika powder - 250 gram
- Cumin - 250 grams
- Oregano - 150 grams
- Chili flakes - 150 grams
- Mayonnaise - 4 liters
- Ketchup - 4 liters
- Mustard - 2 liters
- Garlic sauce - 3 liters
- Barbecue sauce - 3 liters
- Pesto sauce - 2 kilos
- Tomato sauce - 8 liters
- Pizza bases - 60 pieces
- Baguettes - 30 pieces
- Hamburger buns - 80 pieces
- Wraps - 100 pieces
- Focaccia bread - 20 pieces
- Hamburgers - 80 pieces
- Vegetarian burgers - 30 pieces
- Chicken breast - 8 kilos
- Falafel - 5 kilos
- Mozzarella - 5 kilos
- Grated cheese - 6 kilos
- Feta - 3 kilo
- Parmesan cheese - 2 kilos
- Hummus - 4 kilos
- Eggs - 10 cartons
- Cream - 4 liters
- Yogurt - 5 kilos
- Rice - 8 kilo
- Pasta - 8 kilo
- Couscous - 5 kilos
- Tortilla chips - 8 kilos
- Paprika chips - 5 bags
- Plain chips - 5 bags
- Olives - 3 kg
- Nut mix - 3 kilo
- Popcorn - 3 kilos
- Brownies - 100 pieces
- Cookies - 8 packs
- Ice lollies - 150 pieces
- Chocolate sauce - 3 bottles
- Whipped cream - 20 cans
- Baking paper - 4 rolls
- Aluminum foil - 6 rolls
- Cling film - 6 rolls
- Napkins - 1000 pieces
- Paper bags - 500 pieces
- Cardboard containers - 500 pieces
- Wooden skewers - 1000 pieces
- Straws - 500 pieces
- Coffee filters - 3 packs
- Dish soap - 4 bottles
- Dishwasher tablets - 1 box
- All-purpose cleaner - 4 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 2 bottles
- Toilet cleaner - 3 bottles
- Hand soap - 8 refills
- Disinfectant - 4 bottles
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 48 rolls
- Trash bags - 100 pieces
- Paper towels - 12 packs
Tips
- Plan reusable tableware per expected guest, then add 10% extra for breakages, dropped items and busy service periods. Count plates, bowls, cups and cutlery separately rather than assuming one set covers every dish.
- Chill drinks at least 12 hours before opening. Fill coolers shortly before guests arrive and keep a separate reserve cooler so stock can be replenished without warming the main supply.
- Confirm each stall’s power requirement at least one week ahead. Coffee machines, kettles, refrigerators, food warmers and induction hobs can overload a shared outlet, especially when connected through power strips.
- Buy fresh produce as close to the market as practical—ideally one day before, or on the morning of the event for highly perishable items. Store shelf-stable food separately so deliveries and setup stay organised.
- Prepare payment equipment before suppliers arrive. Test every payment terminal or cash register, bring extension cords and cable reels where needed, and keep one clearly labelled backup payment option available.
Frequently asked questions
- How much reusable tableware do I need for a food market?
- Start with one plate, bowl, cup and set of cutlery per expected guest for a single service round, then add about 10% extra. Add more if guests are likely to return for seconds or if washing facilities are limited.
- When should I chill drinks for a food market?
- Put drinks in refrigerators or coolers at least 12 hours before opening. Keep reserve stock cold as well, and refill serving coolers in smaller batches so drinks stay chilled throughout the day.
- How early should I check power for food market stalls?
- Check outlets and appliance requirements at least one week before the event, then test the setup the day before. List the wattage for coffee machines, kettles, refrigerators, food warmers and induction hobs before assigning circuits.
- What should I buy for food market payment and stall setup?
- Prepare payment terminals or cash registers, power leads, tables, tablecloths and serving equipment at least 24 hours before setup. Test payment devices and label each stall’s equipment before suppliers arrive.
Start this plan in Lizzt
Every task and item on this page, ready in your own event. Invite people, split the work, and see who has done what.
Organize this event for free with LizztOrganize for free and invite your contacts!