Food Truck Festival Shopping List

A food truck festival needs more than food trucks and a few tables. You will need a clear drink setup, payment equipment, power distribution, signs, lighting and weather cover so guests can move around safely and vendors can work without delays. Use this list alongside your event plan, then confirm what each truck brings before you shop. Start buying non-perishable supplies at least one week ahead and leave chilled drinks, ice and fresh coffee supplies until the final 24 hours.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentsqty 4
Foldable tablesqty 12
Beer tablesqty 10
Folding chairsqty 60
High tablesqty 8
Bar stoolsqty 16
Countersqty 2
Parasolsqty 6
Tableclothsqty 14
Clothes racksqty 2
Storage cabinetsqty 2

Equipment

Coolersqty 6
Speakersqty 2
Mixer
Microphoneqty 2
Extension cordsqty 8
Power stripsqty 8
Cable reelsqty 4
Power splittersqty 4
Cash traysqty 3
Card machinesqty 3
Charging plugsqty 6
Battery chargersqty 4
Spare batteriesqty 24

Lighting

String lightsqty 8
LED spotlightsqty 6
Work lightsqty 4

Decorations

Buntingqty 8
Balloonsqty 100
Welcome sign
Menu boardsqty 8
Directional signsqty 10
Pavement signsqty 4
Chalk markersqty 12

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 250
Reusable wine glassesqty 40
Platesqty 100
Bowlsqty 60
Cutlery setsqty 120
Serving plattersqty 12
Serving spoonsqty 12

Kitchen

Thermos flasksqty 6
Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Drink dispensersqty 3
Coolersqty 4
Pliersqty 8
Serving jugsqty 6
Cutting boardsqty 4
Kitchen knivesqty 4
Measuring cupsqty 4
Washing-up bowlsqty 4
Water jugsqty 8
Measuring spoonsqty 4
Storage binsqty 20
Cooling compartmentsqty 4

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 12
Litter pickersqty 4
Broom setsqty 4
Floor squeegeesqty 2
Bucketsqty 6
Microfiber clothsqty 24
Hand broomsqty 4
Hand sanitizer dispensersqty 6
Toilet paper holdersqty 4
Washing-up bowlsqty 4
Mop setsqty 2

Catering

Groceries
- Spa Blauw - 120 bottles
- Spa Red - 48 bottles
- Cola - 36 bottles
- Cola Zero - 36 bottles
- Orange soda - 24 bottles
- Ice tea - 24 bottles
- Ginger ale - 12 bottles
- Tonic - 12 bottles
- Apple juice - 12 cartons
- Orange juice - 12 cartons
- Alcohol-free beer - 48 bottles
- Pilsener - 120 bottles
- White wine - 12 bottles
- Rosé - 8 bottles
- Red wine - 6 bottles
- Prosecco - 4 bottles
- Coffee beans - 4 kilos
- Tea bags - 200 pieces
- Black tea - 2 boxes
- Herbal tea - 2 boxes
- Hot chocolate - 4 cartons
- Milk - 12 liters
- Oat milk - 6 liters
- Sugar - 3 kilos
- Sweetener - 2 boxes
- Lemons - 3 kilos
- Ice cubes - 30 kilo
- Paprika chips - 12 bags
- Plain chips - 12 bags
- Tortilla chips - 8 bags
- Salsa - 8 jars
- Olives - 6 jars
- Salted peanuts - 6 bags
- Apples - 8 kilos
- Bananas - 6 kilos
- Grapes - 5 kilos
- Ketchup - 6 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 6 bottles
- Mustard - 4 bottles
- Garlic sauce - 4 bottles
- Chili sauce - 4 bottles
- Barbecue sauce - 4 bottles
- Salt - 2 packs
- Pepper - 2 jars
- Olive oil - 3 bottles
- Butter - 2 kilos
- Bread - 12 loaves
- Hamburger buns - 6 packs
- Hot dog buns - 6 packs
- Cheese - 3 kilos
- Ham - 2 kilos
- Hummus - 12 tubs
- Cucumbers - 4 kilos
- Tomatoes - 5 kilos
- Lettuce - 12 heads
- Onions - 3 kilos
- Strawberries - 4 kilos
- Whipped cream - 12 cans
- Cookies - 10 packs
- Napkins - 1000 pieces
- Straws - 500 pieces
- Stirrers - 500 pieces
- Paper snack trays - 500 pieces
- Baking paper - 4 rolls
- Aluminum foil - 4 rolls
- Plastic wrap - 4 rolls
- Paper towels - 24 rolls
- Toilet paper - 48 rolls
- Liquid hand soap - 12 bottles
- Hand sanitizer gel - 8 bottles
- Dish soap - 6 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 6 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 4 bottles
- Sponges - 24 pieces
- Garbage bags - 120 pieces
- Compostable bags - 60 pieces
- Rubber gloves - 12 pairs
- Bandages - 2 boxes
- Disposable paper gloves - 200 pieces

Safety

Crowd barriersqty 12
Barrier tapeqty 4
Traffic conesqty 12
Cable matsqty 12
Fire extinguishersqty 4
First aid kitsqty 2
Flashlightsqty 6

Information

Floor plansqty 250
Program flyersqty 300
Wristbandsqty 300
Pensqty 12
Clipboardsqty 6
Name stickersqty 100
Cash traysqty 4

Tips

Plan around 2–3 drinks per person for the first hour, then 1–2 more for each additional hour. Add extra water, especially if the site is warm or guests will be standing outside.
Allow one serving or payment point for every 75–100 guests in a busy period. Confirm whether each food truck accepts cards, and prepare separate card machines, charging plugs or cash trays where needed.
Prepare at least one extension cord and one power strip for each powered station, plus cable reels and power splitters for longer runs. Keep cables away from walkways and test the full power plan before trucks arrive.
For a four-hour festival, provide roughly one seat or standing place for every two guests, using a mix of folding chairs, beer tables and high tables. Add tablecloths, counters or parasols only after checking the available footprint and weather forecast.
Buy signs and chalk markers at least two days before the event, including a welcome sign, menus and directional signs. Bring spare batteries, string lights or work lights so the site remains readable if setup or serving runs late.

Frequently asked questions

How many drinks do I need for a food truck festival?: For the first hour, plan 2–3 drinks per person, followed by 1–2 drinks per person for every additional hour. Include water in that calculation and add a small reserve for volunteers and vendors.
What should I buy for food truck festival payments?: Prepare one card machine or payment point for every 75–100 guests expected during the busiest period, unless the trucks handle all payments themselves. Keep charging plugs available and bring cash trays only if cash will be accepted.
How much seating is needed at a food truck festival?: For a four-hour event, plan about one seat or standing place for every two guests. A 200-guest festival therefore needs around 100 places spread across folding chairs, beer tables and high tables.
When should I buy supplies for a food truck festival?: Buy non-perishable items such as signs, table coverings, extension cords and decorations at least one week ahead. Purchase ice, chilled drinks and fresh coffee and tea supplies within the final 24 hours, after checking the weather and confirmed attendance.

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