What you need for a food truck festival

A food truck festival needs more than trucks and menus. You will need a clear drinks setup, reusable tableware, seating, serving equipment, power accessories and a reliable way to keep coffee and cold drinks available. Buy or hire the items that food trucks do not provide themselves, and match quantities to your expected attendance. Check dietary requirements, the site layout and the available power supply before placing final orders.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Beer tablesqty 12
Folding chairsqty 80
High tablesqty 10
Party tentsqty 4
Checkout tablesqty 2
Drinks bar

Tableware

Reusable drinking glassesqty 400
Reusable coffee cupsqty 100
Reusable platesqty 250
Reusable cutleryqty 300
Serving plattersqty 12

Equipment

Coolersqty 6
Beverage coolersqty 2
Cash registersqty 2
Card machinesqty 3
Extension cordsqty 8
Power stripsqty 6
Cable reelsqty 4
Walkie-talkiesqty 6
Mobile phonesqty 3
Music speakersqty 2
Mixer
Microphone
Charging stationsqty 2

Kitchen

Thermos flasksqty 4
Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Ice cube traysqty 4
Cutting boardsqty 4
Kitchen knivesqty 4
Serving tongsqty 8
Measuring cupsqty 2

Decorations

Buntingqty 12
Balloonsqty 100
Tableclothsqty 14
Menu boardsqty 8
Information boardsqty 4
Wayfinding signsqty 8
Chalk markersqty 12

Lighting

String lightsqty 8
LED lanternsqty 12
Spare batteriesqty 24

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 14
Waste binsqty 4
Trash grabbersqty 4
Broom setsqty 3
Dustpansqty 3
Mopsqty 4
Bucketsqty 4
Cleaning glovesqty 12

Catering

Groceries
- Cola - 24 bottles
- Coke Zero - 24 bottles
- Sinas - 18 bottles
- Sprite - 18 bottles
- Iced tea - 18 bottles
- Sparkling mineral water - 24 bottles
- Still mineral water - 36 bottles
- Apple juice - 12 liters
- Orange juice - 12 liters
- Alcohol-free beer - 48 bottles
- Pilsener - 120 bottles
- White wine - 12 bottles
- Rosé - 12 bottles
- Red wine - 6 bottles
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 2 kilos
- Milk - 12 liters
- Oat milk - 6 liters
- Lemons - 3 kilos
- Mint - 10 bunches
- Ice cubes - 40 kilos
- Paper napkins - 2.000 pieces
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Aluminum foil - 4 rolls
- Plastic wrap - 4 rolls
- Baking paper - 4 rolls
- Bread bags - 2 packs
- Paper snack bags - 500 pieces
- Paper fries trays - 500 pieces
- Hamburger buns - 300 pieces
- Hot dog buns - 200 pieces
- Baguettes - 30 pieces
- Tortilla wraps - 200 pieces
- Ketchup - 6 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 6 bottles
- Mustard - 4 bottles
- Garlic sauce - 4 bottles
- Chili sauce - 4 bottles
- Barbecue sauce - 4 bottles
- Salt - 2 kilos
- Pepper - 500 grams
- Paprika powder - 500 grams
- Garlic powder - 250 grams
- Oil - 10 liters
- Butter - 3 kilos
- Grated cheese - 5 kilo
- Vegan cheese - 2 kilo
- Lettuce - 10 heads
- Tomatoes - 8 kilo
- Cucumbers - 6 kilos
- Onions - 8 kilo
- Garlic - 1 kilo
- Bell peppers - 5 kilos
- Potatoes - 25 kilos
- French fry sauce - 6 bottles
- Paprika chips - 12 bags
- Plain chips - 12 bags
- Salted peanuts - 8 bags
- Olives - 6 jars
- Apples - 10 kilos
- Bananas - 8 kilos
- Grapes - 6 kilos
- Cookies - 12 packs
- Brownies - 100 pieces
- Napkin dispensers - 8 pieces
- Dish soap - 4 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 4 bottles
- Disinfectant spray - 4 bottles
- Hand soap - 8 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 8 bottles
- Trash bags - 200 pieces
- Toilet paper - 48 rolls
- Tissues - 12 packs
- Paper towels - 12 packs
- Latex gloves - 500 pieces
- Hairnets - 200 pieces

Tips

Plan reusable glasses, plates and cutlery for at least one full service cycle plus 20% extra. This gives you cover while used items are collected and washed.
Allow two to three drinks per guest for the first hour, then one to two per hour after that. Chill part of the stock in beverage coolers and keep reserve drinks in coolers.
Count every powered item before the event: coffee machines, kettles, card machines, speakers and charging stations. Use cable reels, extension cords and power strips only after confirming the venue’s supply.
Set up one clearly marked drinks bar and separate checkout tables from food truck queues. High tables, beer tables and folding chairs should leave a clear route for queues, deliveries and waste collection.
Prepare coffee service for the busiest period, not the opening hour. Have thermos flasks ready, keep spare ice cube trays available, and place cutting boards and kitchen knives where staff can prepare garnishes safely.

Frequently asked questions

How many reusable cups do I need for a food truck festival?: Start with one cup per expected guest for the active service cycle, then add 20% to cover returns, loss and washing delays. For 100 guests, prepare at least 120 reusable drinking glasses, with reusable coffee cups counted separately.
How much ice should I buy for a food truck festival?: Allow roughly 0.5 to 1 kg of ice per guest when drinks are served outdoors, depending on the weather and whether beverage coolers are available. For 100 guests, that means 50 to 100 kg, with extra capacity if the forecast is warm.
What power equipment is needed for a food truck festival?: Make a written power list at least 7 days before the festival and include coffee machines, kettles, card machines, speakers, charging stations and lighting if used. Bring cable reels, extension cords and power strips only after checking the venue’s available supply and socket locations.
How early should I buy supplies for a food truck festival?: Order hired furniture, party tents, reusable tableware and power equipment at least 2 to 4 weeks ahead. Buy drinks and other consumables closer to the event, but finish the inventory check and shopping at least 2 days before guests arrive.

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