What you need for a food truck festival

A food truck festival needs more than trucks and menus. You will need serving ware, cold storage, safe power distribution, seating, lighting and a way to keep queues and waste under control. Use this shopping list alongside your supplier briefing and site layout. Quantities depend on attendance, but planning for peak demand is safer than shopping for the average guest.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentsqty 4
Beer tablesqty 12
Folding chairsqty 80
High tablesqty 8
Information desk
Bar stoolsqty 12

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 250
Reusable platesqty 200
Reusable cutleryqty 250
Coffee cupsqty 100
Tea glassesqty 80
Serving plattersqty 20
Serving tongsqty 12
Cutlery traysqty 6

Equipment

Coolersqty 8
Refrigeratorsqty 2
Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Extension cordsqty 8
Power stripsqty 8
Cable matsqty 10
Fire extinguishersqty 4
Flashlightsqty 6

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 8
Chef's knivesqty 8
Mixing bowlsqty 8
Measuring cupsqty 4
Storage binsqty 20
Kitchen tongsqty 8
Aluminum traysqty 30
Ice packsqty 24

Decorations

Buntingqty 12
Tableclothsqty 16
Menu boardsqty 12
Directional signsqty 10
Allergen signsqty 8
Chalk markersqty 12
Table signsqty 20

Lighting

String lightsqty 8
LED lanternsqty 12
Work lightsqty 4

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 12
Trash can lidsqty 12
Cleaning bucketsqty 6
Mopsqty 6
Broom setsqty 4
Litter pickersqty 4
Hand soap dispensersqty 6
Towel dispensersqty 6
Toilet brushesqty 4

Safety

First aid kitsqty 2
Vestsqty 12
Crowd control barriersqty 12
Non-slip matsqty 8

Catering

Groceries
- Spa Blauw - 12 bottles
- Spa Rood - 6 bottles
- Cola - 8 bottles
- Cola Zero - 8 bottles
- Sinas - 6 bottles
- Tonic - 4 bottles
- Ginger ale - 4 bottles
- Iced tea - 6 bottles
- Lemonade - 6 bottles
- Apple juice - 4 packs
- Orange juice - 4 cartons
- Alcohol-free beer - 3 cases
- Beer - 6 crates
- White wine - 12 bottles
- Rosé - 12 bottles
- Red wine - 6 bottles
- Coffee beans - 3 kilo
- Tea bags - 200 pieces
- Black tea - 2 boxes
- Herbal tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar sticks - 300 pieces
- Sweeteners - 200 pieces
- Milk - 12 liters
- Oat milk - 6 liters
- Lemons - 4 kilos
- Fresh mint - 8 bunches
- Ice cubes - 30 kilo
- Mayonnaise - 4 bottles
- Ketchup - 4 bottles
- Mustard - 3 bottles
- Garlic sauce - 3 bottles
- Chili sauce - 3 bottles
- Barbecue sauce - 3 bottles
- Olive oil - 3 bottles
- Sunflower oil - 5 liter
- Salt - 2 packs
- Black pepper - 2 jars
- Paprika powder - 2 jars
- Garlic powder - 2 jars
- Italian herbs - 2 jars
- Tortilla chips - 10 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Savory nuts - 6 bags
- Popcorn - 4 bags
- Olives - 4 jars
- Pickles - 4 jars
- Apples - 8 kilos
- Bananas - 6 kilos
- Grapes - 5 kilos
- Cucumbers - 4 kilos
- Cherry tomatoes - 4 kilos
- Mixed lettuce - 3 kilos
- Red onions - 2 kilos
- Tomatoes - 5 kilos
- Bell peppers - 3 kilos
- Lemon juice - 2 bottles
- Hummus - 3 kilos
- Cream cheese - 2 kilo
- Cheese slices - 3 kilos
- Vegan cheese - 1 kilo
- Baguettes - 20 pieces
- Gluten-free sandwich rolls - 30 pieces
- Wraps - 80 pieces
- Mini sandwiches - 100 pieces
- Butter - 2 kilos
- Eggs - 60 pieces
- Herb butter - 2 kilo
- Vegan burgers - 40 pieces
- Tofu - 3 kilo
- Chickpeas - 12 cans
- Kidney beans - 12 cans
- Corn - 12 cans
- Diced tomatoes - 12 cans
- Coconut milk - 8 cans
- Rice - 8 kilo
- Pasta - 6 kilos
- Noodles - 5 kilos
- Tortilla wraps - 100 pieces
- Burger sauce - 3 bottles
- Sriracha - 2 bottles
- Soy sauce - 3 bottles
- Sesame oil - 2 bottles
- Grated cheese - 3 kilos
- Parmesan cheese - 1 kilo
- Pizza dough - 40 balls
- Tomato sauce - 8 liters
- Mozzarella - 4 kilos
- Mushrooms - 3 kilo
- Jalapeño peppers - 3 jars
- Chocolate sauce - 2 bottles
- Vanilla sauce - 2 bottles
- Whipped cream - 12 cans
- Ice cream - 8 liters
- Vegan ice cream - 4 liters
- Cookies - 10 packs
- Brownies - 80 pieces
- Cotton candy - 2 kilos
- Coffee cups - 300 pieces
- Tea bag holders - 100 pieces
- Wooden stirrers - 500 pieces
- Paper napkins - 1000 pieces
- Baking paper - 4 rolls
- Aluminum foil - 4 rolls
- Plastic wrap - 4 rolls
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Dish soap - 6 bottles
- Dishwasher tablets - 100 pieces
- All-purpose cleaner - 6 bottles
- Disinfectant spray - 6 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 3 bottles
- Sponges - 24 pieces
- Microfiber cloths - 30 pieces
- Rubber gloves - 12 pairs
- Hand soap - 6 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 8 bottles
- Toilet paper - 48 rolls
- Garbage bags 60 liters - 150 pieces
- Garbage bags 120 liters - 80 pieces
- Compostable containers - 300 pieces
- Compostable fry containers - 300 pieces
- Wooden forks - 300 pieces
- Wooden knives - 300 pieces
- Wooden spoons - 300 pieces
- Paper straws - 300 pieces
- Cardboard pizza boxes - 100 pieces
- Aluminum grill trays - 100 pieces
- Labels - 300 pieces
- Waterproof markers - 20 pieces

Tips

Plan reusable cups, plates and cutlery for at least 1.5 times your expected guest count if washing or collection is limited. Add extra coffee cups and tea glasses separately rather than assuming one type will cover every drink.
Allow two to three drinks per person during the first hour when sizing coolers or refrigerators. Check each truck’s storage needs before the event, because some vendors will need dedicated chilled space.
Buy or hire enough extension cords, power strips and cable mats for every power run shown on the site layout. Keep cables covered across walking routes and confirm the required load with each food truck before booking outlets.
Provide at least one information desk with the final truck menus, allergen information and dietary notes. Keep serving platters, tongs and cutlery trays at the service points so trucks are not forced to share equipment during the busiest period.
Prepare for the weather and late finishes with party tents, flashlights and suitable seating. Put fire extinguishers near cooking areas, and arrange waste collection before the event rather than waiting until bins are full.

Frequently asked questions

How many reusable cups do I need for a food truck festival?: Start with 1.5 cups per expected guest if cups are collected and washed during the event. For 200 guests, that means at least 300 reusable cups, plus a separate allowance for hot drinks if coffee or tea is served.
What tableware is needed for a food truck festival?: Plan reusable plates and cutlery for every guest, with 50% extra when there is no washing point on site. Add coffee cups, tea glasses, serving platters, serving tongs and cutlery trays according to the menus and service points.
When should I arrange power equipment for food trucks?: Confirm power requirements with every truck before finalising the site layout, ideally several weeks before the festival. Reserve outlets, extension cords, power strips and cable mats before suppliers receive the final briefing.
How much seating do I need at a food truck festival?: Provide seating for the guests you expect to eat at the site at the same time, rather than for total attendance. As a starting point, plan seats for 30% to 50% of expected guests and add beer tables or high tables for faster turnover.

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