What you need for a food truck festival

A food truck festival needs more than the trucks themselves. Visitors need somewhere to sit, eat, drink and find information, while vendors need reliable power, cooling and serving equipment. Use this shopping list alongside your site plan and supplier confirmations. Quantities depend on attendance, but planning for one reusable plate, bowl, cup and cutlery set per guest is a useful starting point, with at least 10% extra for busy periods and replacements.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Foldable tablesqty 16
Beer tablesqty 12
Folding chairsqty 80
High tablesqty 8
Party tentsqty 3
Parasolsqty 6
Drink counter
Information desk

Tableware

Reusable platesqty 250
Reusable bowlsqty 150
Reusable cupsqty 400
Wine glassesqty 100
Cutlery setsqty 300
Serving plattersqty 20

Equipment

Coolersqty 8
Refrigeratorsqty 2
Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Extension cordsqty 10
Cable reelsqty 4
Power stripsqty 8
Portable speakersqty 2
Microphone
Cash register
Card machinesqty 2
Power banksqty 4

Kitchen

Water jugsqty 8
Thermos flasksqty 4
Ice containersqty 4
Pliersqty 8
Serving spoonsqty 8
Cutting boardsqty 4
Knivesqty 8
Measuring cupsqty 4
Storage binsqty 20
Aluminum foilqty 4
Cling filmqty 4

Decorations

Buntingqty 12
Menu boardsqty 12
Chalkboardsqty 8
Tableclothsqty 16
Plantersqty 8
Directional signsqty 12

Lighting

String lightsqty 8
LED lampsqty 12
Battery lanternsqty 8

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 12
Waste binsqty 4
Broom setsqty 4
Litter pickersqty 4
Mopsqty 4
Bucketsqty 6
Hand soap dispensersqty 8

Catering

Groceries
- Spa Blauw - 240 bottles
- Spa Red - 96 bottles
- Cola - 48 bottles
- Cola Zero - 48 bottles
- Sinas - 36 bottles
- Iced tea - 36 bottles
- Tonic - 24 bottles
- Ginger ale - 24 bottles
- Alcohol-free beer - 48 cans
- Pilsener - 240 bottles
- White wine - 24 bottles
- Red wine - 18 bottles
- Rosé - 12 bottles
- Coffee beans - 4 kilograms
- Tea bags - 300 pieces
- Sugar sticks - 300 pieces
- Sweeteners - 200 pieces
- Milk - 20 liters
- Oat milk - 8 liters
- Lemons - 5 kilograms
- Mint - 12 bunches
- Ice cubes - 40 kilogram
- Lemonade syrup - 8 liters
- Bitterballen - 800 pieces
- Vegetarian bitterballen - 300 pieces
- Paprika chips - 12 bags
- Plain chips - 12 bags
- Tortilla chips - 10 bags
- Salsa - 8 jars
- Mixed nuts - 6 kilograms
- Olives - 5 kilograms
- Grapes - 8 kilograms
- Apples - 120 pieces
- Bananas - 80 pieces
- Watermelons - 6 pieces
- Lemon cake - 8 pieces
- Brownies - 120 pieces
- Mini cookies - 10 kilograms
- Ketchup - 6 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 6 bottles
- Mustard - 4 bottles
- Garlic sauce - 4 bottles
- Chili sauce - 4 bottles
- Barbecue sauce - 4 bottles
- Salt - 2 kilograms
- Pepper - 500 grams
- Paprika powder - 500 grams
- Garlic powder - 500 grams
- Italian herbs - 300 gram
- Cinnamon - 200 grams
- Olive oil - 4 liters
- Cooking oil - 10 liters
- Butter - 2 kilograms
- Bread - 12 loaves
- Sandwiches - 100 pieces
- Vegan rolls - 40 pieces
- Cheese - 5 kilo
- Hummus - 4 kilograms
- Cucumbers - 5 kilogram
- Cherry tomatoes - 5 kilo
- Lettuce - 12 heads
- Red onions - 3 kilogram
- Bell peppers - 4 kilograms
- Napkins - 1500 pieces
- Paper towels - 18 rolls
- Toilet paper - 48 rolls
- Trash bags - 150 pieces
- Compostable snack boxes - 500 pieces
- Compostable sauce cups - 600 pieces
- Wooden Forks - 500 pieces
- Wooden Knives - 500 pieces
- Wooden spoons - 300 pieces
- Paper straws - 500 pieces
- Coffee filters - 200 pieces
- Dish soap - 4 liters
- All-purpose cleaner - 4 liters
- Disinfectant spray - 4 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 8 bottles
- Sponges - 20 pieces
- Microfiber cloths - 30 pieces
- Paper towels - 12 packs

Tips

Plan reusable tableware for every expected guest, then add 10% extra. For 200 visitors, that means at least 220 plates, bowls, cups and cutlery sets if guests are likely to eat and drink on site.
Provide two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then one per person for each additional hour. Keep water jugs visible at the information or drink counter, and prepare enough coolers, ice containers and refrigerators for the full service period.
Check each food truck’s power requirement before buying cables or arranging supply. Keep extension cords, cable reels and power strips separate from visitor areas, and bring at least one spare power bank for card machines or phones.
Count seating by the busiest expected period, not the average attendance. For 100 visitors, start with around 40 to 50 seats and add standing space with high tables, beer tables, parasols or party tents.
Set up the information desk, cash register and card machines before suppliers arrive. Pack portable speakers, a microphone, thermos flasks and coffee machines together, and test every powered item at least two hours before opening.

Frequently asked questions

How much tableware do I need for a food truck festival?: Allow one reusable plate, bowl, cup and cutlery set per expected guest, plus 10% extra. For 200 visitors, prepare at least 220 of each item if food and drinks are served for on-site consumption.
How many drinks should I buy for a food truck festival?: Plan for two to three drinks per person during the first hour and one additional drink per person for every following hour. For 100 visitors at a three-hour festival, that is roughly 400 to 500 drinks, including water.
How many seats are needed for a food truck festival?: Provide seating for about 40% to 50% of the busiest expected crowd, because guests will rotate through the site. For 100 visitors at peak time, prepare approximately 40 to 50 seats and supplement them with high tables and standing areas.
When should I check the power and cooling equipment?: Confirm food truck power requirements at least two weeks before the festival and test the complete setup on the day at least two hours before opening. Chill drinks and check ice containers before the first supplier arrives.

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