Food Truck Festival Shopping List

Use this shopping list to prepare the shared essentials around your food trucks: drinks, serving items, seating, power equipment, and service points. The trucks usually bring their own cooking equipment, but they may still need access to electricity, tables, waste facilities, or extra serving supplies. Buy or collect disposable and reusable items at least two days before the festival. Keep a separate checklist for chilled drinks, payment equipment, extension leads, and dietary information so nothing is left until setup morning.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentsqty 4
High tablesqty 12
Picnic tablesqty 10
Beer tablesqty 8
Beer benchesqty 16
Folding chairsqty 40
Drink stationsqty 2
Cash and pickup counter

Tableware

Reusable drinking glassesqty 300
Coffee cupsqty 80
Platesqty 250
Cutlery setsqty 250
Serving traysqty 12

Equipment

Refrigeratorsqty 2
Coolersqty 6
Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Sound system
Microphonesqty 2
Extension cordsqty 8
Cable reelsqty 4
Power stripsqty 8
Rechargeable cash registersqty 2
Payment terminalsqty 3

Kitchen

Thermos flasksqty 4
Pitchersqty 6
Coolersqty 4
Cutting boardsqty 4
Kitchen knivesqty 4
Pliersqty 8
Measuring cupsqty 4
Storage binsqty 12

Decorations

Buntingqty 12
Menu board standsqty 10
Info boardsqty 4
Directional signsqty 8

Lighting

String lightsqty 10
LED lightsqty 12
Battery lanternsqty 8

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 12
Waste binsqty 4
Broom setsqty 4
Floor squeegeesqty 2
Bucketsqty 4
Cleaning clothsqty 30
Hand soap dispensersqty 6
Sanitizer pumpsqty 6

Catering

Groceries
- Spa Blauw - 240 bottles
- Spa Rood - 120 bottles
- Cola - 60 bottles
- Cola Zero - 60 bottles
- Sinas - 36 bottles
- Iced tea - 36 bottles
- Ginger ale - 24 bottles
- Tonic - 24 bottles
- Apple juice - 24 liters
- Orange juice - 24 liters
- Alcohol-free beer - 96 bottles
- Pilsener - 240 bottles
- White wine - 24 bottles
- Rosé - 18 bottles
- Red wine - 12 bottles
- Prosecco - 8 bottles
- Coffee beans - 5 kilograms
- Black tea - 200 bags
- Herbal tea - 100 bags
- Chocolate milk - 12 liters
- Milk - 20 liters
- Oat milk - 12 liters
- Sugar - 4 kilogram
- Sweetener - 300 pieces
- Lemons - 5 kilograms
- Ice cubes - 40 kilogram
- Lemon syrup - 6 liters
- Ketchup - 6 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 6 bottles
- Mustard - 4 bottles
- Barbecue sauce - 4 bottles
- Chili sauce - 4 bottles
- Salt - 2 kilograms
- Pepper - 1 kilogram
- Napkins - 1500 pieces
- Paper plates - 500 pieces
- Wooden cutlery sets - 500 pieces
- Straws - 300 pieces
- Cocktail picks - 500 pieces
- Aluminum foil - 4 rolls
- Plastic wrap - 4 rolls
- Baking paper - 4 rolls
- Paper towels - 24 rolls
- Toilet paper - 48 rolls
- Liquid hand soap - 12 liters
- Hand sanitizer gel - 8 liters
- Dish soap - 6 liter
- All-purpose cleaner - 6 liters
- Floor cleaner - 4 liter
- Sponges - 24 pieces
- Rubber gloves - 12 pairs
- Trash bags 120 liters - 150 pieces
- 60 liter trash bags - 100 pieces
- Freezer bags - 4 boxes
- Aluminum trays - 200 pieces
- Food packaging - 500 pieces
- Paper cups - 500 pieces
- Coffee filters - 200 pieces
- Matches - 4 boxes
- AA batteries - 24 pieces
- AAA batteries - 24 pieces
- Tape - 12 rolls
- Cable ties - 200 pieces
- Highlighters - 12 pieces
- Name stickers - 100 pieces
- Printer paper - 2 packs
- Pens - 20 pieces

Tips

Plan around two to three drinks per visitor for the first hour, then about one drink per person per hour. Include water as well as alcoholic and non-alcoholic options, and chill the first stock at least 12 hours beforehand.
Allow one plate, cutlery set, and napkin per meal served, plus 10% extra for replacements. For reusable glasses, prepare at least 1.5 glasses per expected guest if there is no washing station nearby.
Count power equipment before shopping day: extension cords, cable reels, and power strips must match the power plan. Keep cables away from visitor routes and bring at least two spare extension leads for unexpected gaps.
Provide one drink station for every 50 to 75 visitors so queues stay manageable. Place pitchers, thermos flasks, coffee cups, and kettles at the stations rather than making guests cross the food truck queue.
Bring payment terminals and rechargeable cash registers fully charged, with charging cables and a backup payment method. Test every terminal no later than the day before, and keep cash or backup supplies with one named crew member.

Frequently asked questions

What should I buy for a food truck festival?: Buy shared drinks, reusable drinking glasses, coffee cups, plates, cutlery, serving trays, and supplies for the drink stations. You may also need refrigerators or coolers, seating, tables, power cables, payment terminals, and weather protection. Confirm what each food truck supplies at least 7 days before shopping.
How many drinks do I need for a food truck festival?: Use two to three drinks per person for the first hour, followed by about one drink per person per hour. Add at least 10% extra for warm weather, longer queues, or unexpected visitors. Keep water available throughout the event.
How many plates and cups do I need for a food truck festival?: Start with one plate and one cutlery set per expected meal, plus 10% spare. For reusable glasses, prepare around 1.5 per guest when washing is limited. If the festival lasts several hours, increase the number because used items may not return quickly.
When should I buy supplies for a food truck festival?: Buy non-perishable items, tableware, cables, and equipment 2 to 3 days before the event. Purchase fresh items and ice as late as practical, then chill drinks at least 12 hours before opening. Check the complete stock and test payment equipment the day before.

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