Fresh market shopping list

A fresh market needs more than food for the tables. You will also need serving items, chilled storage, stall equipment, signs and supplies for vendors and visitors. Use the plan below to check what must be bought, borrowed or brought before setup day. Pay particular attention to cooling, power and table signage: these are easy to arrange too late, especially when several exhibitors need the same equipment.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Market stallsqty 10
Party tentsqty 4
Tablesqty 12
Folding chairsqty 40
Beer tablesqty 6
Tableclothsqty 12
Cratesqty 20

Tableware

Glassesqty 100
Coffee cupsqty 60
Platesqty 100
Cutlery setsqty 100
Pitchersqty 6

Equipment

Coolersqty 6
Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Kitchen scalesqty 4
Cable reelsqty 4
Extension cordsqty 6
Power stripsqty 6
Handheld microphonesqty 2

Lighting

String lightsqty 6
LED lampsqty 10

Decorations

Buntingqty 8
Welcome sign
Directional signsqty 12
Price tagsqty 80
Chalkboardsqty 10
Chalk markersqty 12

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 6
Chef's knivesqty 6
Serving plattersqty 20
Serving tongsqty 12
Thermos flasksqty 6

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 8
Broom setsqty 3
Mopsqty 3
Bucketsqty 4
Cleaning clothsqty 20

Catering

Groceries
- Apples - 8 kilograms
- Pears - 6 kilogram
- Grapes - 5 kilograms
- Strawberries - 4 kilogram
- Cherries - 3 kilogram
- Tomatoes - 6 kilograms
- Cucumbers - 4 kilogram
- Bell peppers - 4 kilograms
- Carrots - 4 kilograms
- Radish - 3 kilogram
- Lettuce - 12 heads
- Fresh herbs - 12 bunches
- Potatoes - 10 kilograms
- Onions - 4 kilograms
- Garlic - 6 bulbs
- Eggs - 60 pieces
- Farmhouse cheese - 4 kilogram
- Goat cheese - 2 kilogram
- Cream cheese - 2 kilograms
- Unsalted butter - 2 kilograms
- Yogurt - 6 liter
- Milk - 8 liters
- Bread - 20 loaves
- Baguettes - 12 pieces
- Crackers - 8 packs
- Hummus - 2 kilograms
- Olives - 2 kilograms
- Mixed nuts - 2 kilograms
- Raisins - 1 kilogram
- Honey - 3 jars
- Jam - 4 jars
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Olive oil - 3 liters
- Sunflower oil - 2 liters
- Balsamic vinegar - 2 bottles
- Salt - 1 kilogram
- Pepper - 3 grinders
- Paprika powder - 1 jar
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Tea - 3 boxes
- Sugar - 2 kilograms
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Sparkling water - 12 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 24 bottles
- Apple juice - 8 liters
- Orange juice - 8 liters
- Ice cubes - 20 kilograms
- Paper napkins - 500 pieces
- Paper cups - 300 pieces
- Wooden stirrers - 300 pieces
- Toothpicks - 300 pieces
- Bamboo skewers - 500 pieces
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Nitrile gloves - 4 boxes
- Trash bags - 4 rolls
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 3 bottles
- Disinfectant spray - 3 bottles
- Hand soap - 4 bottles
- Paper towels - 8 packs

Tips

Plan chilled goods around the time they will be served. Have coolers and cooling stations ready before buying or collecting perishable food, and chill drinks as soon as they arrive.
Count serving items by planned users, not just guests. For a busy tasting table, allow at least 2 glasses or cups per person and keep extra plates and cutlery available for replacements.
Check every exhibitor’s equipment needs before shopping. Reserve enough power outlets, cable reels, extension cords and power strips so coffee machines, kettles and other equipment do not compete for one socket.
Prepare signs before the market opens. Print the welcome and directional signs, make price tags for every selling table, and keep chalk markers with the chalkboards rather than leaving them in a packing box.
Pack preparation tools separately from decorations. Cutting boards, chef’s knives and kitchen scales should be easy to reach when groceries are sorted, weighed or prepared on site.

Frequently asked questions

What should I buy for a fresh market?: Plan for four groups: food and drinks, serving ware, stall and furniture supplies, and signs or decorations. The shopping list also includes coolers, coffee equipment, power accessories and preparation tools so setup does not depend on last-minute borrowing.
How many glasses and cups do I need for a fresh market?: Allow at least 2 drinking vessels per person when washing facilities are limited or drinks are served at several stalls. Add extra coffee cups if hot drinks are available, because visitors may return for another serving.
When should I buy chilled goods for a fresh market?: Buy chilled goods as close to the market as practical, ideally on the same day or within 24 hours when storage allows. Move them into coolers immediately and check that drinks and perishable food stay cold until serving.
What equipment is easy to forget for market stalls?: Power accessories are commonly missed: cable reels, extension cords and power strips. Check requirements with exhibitors at least 3 to 7 days beforehand, then test the available connections before the market opens.

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