What you need for a horticultural market

A horticultural market needs more than tables and stalls. You’ll need a clear setup for vendors, safe power distribution, somewhere to cool perishables, and enough serving equipment for refreshments. Plan supplies around the number of stallholders, expected visitors and opening hours rather than buying one standard quantity. This checklist covers the practical items people often remember only when unloading starts, including change, card payments, signage, lighting and transport equipment.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentsqty 4
Market stallsqty 12
Tablesqty 18
Folding chairsqty 60
Beer tablesqty 6
Stoolsqty 12
Transport cartsqty 2
Plastic cratesqty 24
Crowd barriersqty 10

Tableware

Reusable glassesqty 180
Coffee cupsqty 100
Platesqty 100
Platesqty 180
Forksqty 180
Knivesqty 120
Spoonsqty 120
Serving spoonsqty 12
Serving plattersqty 18
Serving traysqty 8

Equipment

Coffee machinesqty 3
Kettlesqty 2
Coolersqty 6
Refrigeratorsqty 2
Food warmersqty 3
Extension cordsqty 8
Power stripsqty 8
Card machinesqty 2
Cash registersqty 2
Flashlightsqty 4
Cash boxesqty 2
Calculatorsqty 2
Power banksqty 4

Lighting

String lightsqty 8
LED lampsqty 12
Battery lanternsqty 6

Decorations

Welcome bannersqty 2
Stand signsqty 12
Route signsqty 8
Plant displaysqty 12
Chalkboardsqty 8
Tableclothsqty 18
Buntingqty 10
Decorative plantsqty 24
Plant tablesqty 8
Price tagsqty 150
Poster puttyqty 12
Cable tiesqty 200
Ropeqty 4
Scissorsqty 6

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 6
Chef's cutleryqty 6
Measuring cupsqty 3
Thermos flasksqty 6
Water jugsqty 8
Ice packsqty 24
Aluminum foilqty 4
Food storage containersqty 20
Towelsqty 20
Oven mittsqty 4
Coolersqty 4

Cleaning

Bucketsqty 4
Spongesqty 12
Dish brushesqty 4
Hand broomsqty 4
Dustpan and brushqty 4
Trash binsqty 10
Hand soap dispensersqty 6
Towel roll holdersqty 4
Rubber glovesqty 12
Work glovesqty 12
Mop setsqty 3
Broom setsqty 3
Cleaning clothsqty 30

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 6 packs
- Tea - 8 boxes
- Sugar - 3 kilograms
- Milk - 12 liters
- Oat milk - 6 liters
- Coffee cream - 4 bottles
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Bitter lemon - 6 bottles
- Apple juice - 8 cartons
- Orange juice - 8 packs
- Spa Blauw - 12 bottles
- Spa Rood - 8 bottles
- Sparkling water - 8 bottles
- Lemons - 3 kilogram
- Mint - 10 bunches
- Apples - 8 kilograms
- Pears - 6 kilogram
- Grapes - 5 kilograms
- Strawberries - 4 kilogram
- Cucumbers - 5 kilogram
- Carrots - 5 kilograms
- Cherry tomatoes - 4 kilograms
- Peppers - 3 kilograms
- Radishes - 30 bunches
- Mixed salad - 3 kilograms
- Hummus - 12 tubs
- Cream cheese - 8 tubs
- Herb butter - 8 tubs
- Young cheese - 4 kilograms
- Goat cheese - 2 kilogram
- Baguettes - 30 pieces
- Whole wheat bread - 12 loaves
- Gluten-free bread - 4 loaves
- Crackers - 12 packs
- Olive oil - 3 liters
- Balsamic vinegar - 2 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 3 bottles
- Ketchup - 3 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Pesto - 8 jars
- Salt - 1 kilogram
- Black pepper - 250 grams
- Italian herbs - 2 jars
- Paprika powder - 2 jars
- Cinnamon - 2 jars
- Butter - 2 kilograms
- Eggs - 10 cartons
- Flour - 5 kilogram
- Granulated sugar - 4 kilograms
- Baking powder - 4 sachets
- Vanilla sugar - 4 sachets
- Cookies - 20 packs
- Mixed nuts - 3 kilogram
- Raisins - 2 kilograms
- Paprika chips - 12 bags
- Plain chips - 12 bags
- Popcorn - 8 bags
- Ice cubes - 20 bags
- Paper napkins - 1000 pieces
- Coffee filters - 3 packs
- Stirrers - 500 pieces
- Cardboard cups - 500 pieces
- Cardboard snack trays - 400 pieces
- Baking paper - 4 rolls
- Plastic wrap - 4 rolls
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Dish soap - 4 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 4 bottles
- Disinfectant spray - 4 bottles
- Hand soap - 6 bottles
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 36 rolls
- Trash bags - 100 pieces
- Compostable bags - 50 pieces
- Aluminum trays - 100 pieces
Allergen cardsqty 20
Menu boardsqty 8
Drink dispensersqty 4

Tips

Count one market stall or suitable table space for each confirmed vendor, then add at least one spare table for registration, information or overflow. Confirm final stallholder numbers before placing equipment orders.
Allow one serving place setting per expected refreshment customer during a busy turnover period, not just per vendor. Check that you have separate quantities of plates, forks, knives, spoons, coffee cups and reusable glasses, plus serving spoons and platters.
Arrange cooling and power at least 48 hours before the market. Match coolers, refrigerators, coffee machines and kettles to the available outlets, and bring extension cords and power strips only after checking cable routes and electrical capacity.
Prepare payment supplies before setup: at least one working card machine, a cash register and enough small change for the first two hours. Keep a written price list at every relevant stall so visitors do not need to ask repeatedly.
Pack signs and site equipment separately from food and tableware. Route and booth signs, crowd barriers, transport carts, plastic crates, flashlights and string lights are easy to overlook and difficult to replace once vendors are unloading.

Frequently asked questions

How many tables do I need for a horticultural market?: Start with one market stall or table space per confirmed vendor, based on the floor plan. Add 1–2 extra tables for registration, refreshments, information or last-minute changes, depending on the size of the market.
How much tableware do I need for a horticultural market?: Plan one complete place setting per customer expected to eat or drink during the busiest turnover period, then add 10–15% if washing facilities are limited. Include plates, cutlery, coffee cups, reusable glasses and serving utensils separately.
What should I arrange before the market day?: Confirm tents, stalls, tables, cooling equipment, power access and payment devices at least 48 hours in advance. Check the weather forecast and finish the traffic, loading and booth layout before vendors arrive.
How much change should I bring to a horticultural market?: Prepare enough small notes and coins to give change for the first two hours of trading, based on your expected cash sales. Keep the float separate from takings and confirm card machines are charged before opening.

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