What you need for a French market

A French market needs more than fresh food and attractive stalls. You’ll need enough serving ware, chilled drinks, coffee equipment, payment equipment and clear signs for each vendor. Buy non-perishable supplies first, then schedule fresh groceries and chilled items close to the event. Use this list alongside your stall layout and registration numbers so you can match quantities to the expected crowd instead of guessing.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Market stallsqty 10
Party tentsqty 4
Foldable tablesqty 12
Beer tablesqty 6
Folding chairsqty 40
Bar stoolsqty 12
High tablesqty 8
Clothes racksqty 6
Presentation boardsqty 12
Storage binsqty 20

Tableware

Reusable platesqty 120
Dessert platesqty 80
Glassesqty 150
Coffee cupsqty 80
Wine glassesqty 80
Cutlery setsqty 120
Serving plattersqty 20
Serving plattersqty 20
Pitchersqty 12
Serving spoonsqty 12

Equipment

Coffee machinesqty 3
Kettlesqty 3
Coolersqty 6
Food warmersqty 4
Payment terminalsqty 3
Portable speakersqty 2
Microphone
Power stripsqty 8
Extension cordsqty 10
Flashlightsqty 6

Lighting

String lightsqty 8
LED lanternsqty 10

Decorations

French flagsqty 20
Buntingqty 8
Chalkboardsqty 12
Tableclothsqty 20
Flower arrangementsqty 12
Price tagsqty 80
Directional signsqty 12
Cocktail table coversqty 8

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 8
Chef’s knives and bread knivesqty 8
Pliersqty 12
Measuring cupsqty 4
Kitchen scalesqty 2
Aluminum traysqty 30
Food storage containersqty 20
Ice packsqty 30

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 10
Waste binsqty 4
Broom setsqty 4
Mopsqty 4
Bucketsqty 4
Cleaning glovesqty 12
Toilet brushesqty 4
Hand soap dispensersqty 4

Catering

Groceries
- Baguettes - 35 pieces
- Mini quiches - 120 pieces
- Unsalted butter - 2 kg
- Brie - 3 kg
- Camembert - 2 kg
- Comté - 2 kg
- Goat cheese - 1.5 kg
- Blue cheese - 1 kg
- Serrano ham - 1.5 kg
- Cooked ham - 1,5 kg
- Pâté - 1,5 kg
- Cornichons - 8 jars
- Grapes - 6 kg
- Pears - 5 kg
- Apples - 5 kg
- Walnuts - 1.5 kg
- Almonds - 1 kg
- Fig jam - 6 jars
- Onion chutney - 6 jars
- Olives - 4 kg
- Sun-dried tomatoes - 2 kg
- Hummus - 2 kg
- Ratatouille - 8 kg
- Vegetable tart - 8 pieces
- Niçoise salad - 8 kg
- Mixed salad - 4 kg
- Tomatoes - 5 kg
- Cucumbers - 3 kg
- Bell peppers - 3 kg
- Red onions - 2 kg
- Eggs - 10 cartons
- Canned tuna - 24 cans
- Anchovies - 12 cans
- Mayonnaise - 4 jars
- Dijon mustard - 4 jars
- Ketchup - 3 bottles
- Olive oil - 5 liters
- Red wine vinegar - 2 liter
- Salt - 1 kg
- Black pepper - 250 grams
- Provençal herbs - 4 jars
- Garlic - 10 bulbs
- Granulated sugar - 2 kg
- Coffee - 6 packs
- Tea - 4 boxes
- Milk - 12 liters
- Oat milk - 6 liters
- Lemons - 4 kg
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 8 bottles
- Lemonade - 8 liters
- Sparkling water - 20 bottles
- Still water - 20 bottles
- Apple juice - 12 liters
- Orange juice - 12 liters
- French lemonade - 12 bottles
- Alcohol-free beer - 6 crates
- French beer - 8 crates
- White wine - 24 bottles
- Red wine - 24 bottles
- Rosé - 18 bottles
- Cava - 12 bottles
- Ice cubes - 30 kg
- Paper napkins - 600 pieces
- Coffee filters - 3 packs
- Stirrers - 500 pieces
- Cardboard takeaway boxes - 150 pieces
- Baking paper - 4 rolls
- Aluminum foil - 4 rolls
- Plastic wrap - 4 rolls
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Trash bags - 100 pieces
- Dish soap - 4 bottles
- Cleaning wipes - 6 packs
- Hand soap - 4 bottles
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls

Tips

Plan drinks for the first hour before buying anything else: allow two to three drinks per visitor, then add chilled water for vendors and staff. Arrange coolers early so drinks can be kept cold until the market opens.
Count plates, glasses, cups and cutlery against your expected attendance, then add at least 10% extra for breakages, spills and visitors returning for another serving. Keep reusable tableware grouped by stall or food type.
Check every food stall’s power requirement at least one week before the market. Match coffee machines, kettles and food warmers to available outlets, and prepare enough extension cords and power strips for the final layout.
Print price lists, menus and dietary information before fresh shopping day. Prepare one visible set for each stall and keep spare copies in a storage bin in case signs get wet or are damaged during setup.
Prepare cash and test payment terminals no later than the day before. Pack flashlights, signage materials and spare cables with the setup equipment, since these are often needed after deliveries arrive or when the weather changes.

Frequently asked questions

How much food should I buy for a French market?: Base your order on the confirmed registrations, then add 10% for walk-ins and second servings. Buy non-perishable items first and schedule fresh groceries for one or two days before the market.
How many drinks do I need for a French market?: Allow two to three drinks per person for the first hour, including water, then increase the total if the market runs longer than three hours. Keep vendor and staff drinks separate from the stock for visitors.
How many plates and glasses do I need for a market?: Prepare one complete set per expected visitor if tableware is reused between servings, plus at least 10% extra. For a 100-person market, that means at least 110 plates, glasses and cutlery sets where each visitor needs one.
When should I buy fresh food for a French market?: Buy fresh groceries one or two days before the event, depending on how quickly they spoil. Do the non-perishable shopping earlier, and check deliveries on arrival before setting up the stalls.

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