What you need for a hospital flea market

A hospital flea market needs more than tables and donated goods. You need clearly numbered stalls, visible prices, a reliable way to take payments and enough coffee and cold drinks for vendors and visitors. Plan equipment around the number of stalls and volunteers: allow one table per stall, at least one chair per stall, and one payment point for every busy sales area. This checklist covers the items people often remember too late, including power, change, signage and serving equipment.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Market stallsqty 20
Tablesqty 24
Chairsqty 40
Foldable tablesqty 4
Coat racksqty 2
Clothes hangersqty 80
Bollardsqty 8

Equipment

Cash registerqty 2
Card machinesqty 2
Extension cordsqty 8
Power stripsqty 8
Coolersqty 4
Thermos flasksqty 6
Coffee machinesqty 3
Kettlesqty 2
Handheld microphone
Batteriesqty 12

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 4
Bread knivesqty 4
Kitchen knivesqty 4
Serving spoonsqty 6
Scissorsqty 4

Tableware

Coffee cupsqty 80
Glassesqty 100
Platesqty 100
Cutlery setsqty 100
Serving traysqty 8

Decorations

Tableclothsqty 24
Price holdersqty 40
Booth number signsqty 20
Directional signsqty 12
Arrow stickersqty 30
Information boardsqty 6
Buntingqty 8
Balloonsqty 100
Balloon pumpqty 2
Tapeqty 8
Ropeqty 2
Markersqty 12
Clipboardsqty 6

Lighting

LED lampsqty 8
Flashlightsqty 4

Cleaning

Broomsqty 3
Dustpansqty 3
Mopsqty 3
Bucketsqty 3
Cleaning cart
Hand soap dispensersqty 4
Towel dispensersqty 4
Waste binsqty 8
Cratesqty 12

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Decaf coffee - 1 pack
- Tea bags - 150 pieces
- Herbal tea - 40 bags
- Sugar - 2 kilograms
- Sweetener - 1 box
- Semi-skimmed milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Lemon juice - 1 bottle
- Spa Blauw - 12 bottles
- Spa Rood - 6 bottles
- Cola - 6 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Sinas - 4 bottles
- Iced tea - 4 bottles
- Apple juice - 4 packs
- Orange juice - 4 cartons
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Snacks - 4 bags
- Mixed nuts - 3 bags
- Popcorn - 4 bags
- Cookies - 10 packs
- Speculaas - 4 packs
- Whole grain bread - 8 loaves
- White buns - 80 pieces
- Multigrain rolls - 40 pieces
- Unsalted butter - 2 packs
- Young cheese - 2 kilograms
- Back ham - 1 kilogram
- Chicken breast slices - 1 kilogram
- Hummus - 6 tubs
- Cream cheese - 4 tubs
- Jam - 3 jars
- Peanut butter - 2 jars
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Cucumber - 6 pieces
- Tomatoes - 2 kilograms
- Lettuce - 4 heads
- Apples - 5 kilograms
- Bananas - 4 kilogram
- Grapes - 3 kilograms
- Mandarins - 3 kilograms
- Lemon cake - 3 pieces
- Apple pie - 3 pieces
- Diet biscuits - 4 packs
- Gluten-free bread - 2 loaves
- Gluten-free cookies - 2 packs
- Vegan spreads - 4 tubs
- Vegan cookies - 3 packs
- Stir sticks - 200 pieces
- Wooden spoons - 200 pieces
- Napkins - 500 pieces
- Paper cups - 300 pieces
- Paper plates - 200 pcs
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 3 rolls
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 3 bottles
- Disinfectant spray - 2 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 2 bottles
- Cleaning gloves - 6 pairs
- Toilet cleaner - 4 bottles
- Paper towels - 8 packs

Tips

Prepare one stall number sign and one price holder per stall, plus at least 10% extra in case a sign is damaged or a vendor changes position. Print the vendor list and floor plan before setup day.
Allow one cash register or card machine for each payment point, and arrange change at least 24 hours before opening. Keep a separate cash float for each register so queues do not depend on one shared box.
For refreshments, plan roughly two hot drinks and one cold drink per vendor, then add one hot drink and one cold drink per expected visitor if drinks are being sold or offered. Chill drinks the evening before and fill thermos flasks shortly before doors open.
Match electrical supplies to the room layout: use one extension cord and one power strip for each separate coffee or kettle station, and bring spare batteries for the handheld microphone. Check cable routes before visitors arrive.
Buy or bring one tablecloth per public-facing table, one serving tray per refreshment station and at least two pairs of scissors and kitchen knives per preparation area. Set up non-perishable supplies first, then add chilled drinks and serving items on the day.

Frequently asked questions

How many tables do I need for a hospital flea market?: Plan on one table or market stall for every registered vendor. Add at least two spare tables for refreshments, registration or payment, and keep one additional table available for unexpected changes.
How much change should I prepare for a hospital flea market?: Prepare enough small notes and coins to cover the first 20 to 30 sales at each cash register. Sort the float into separate envelopes at least 24 hours before opening and keep a written record of the starting amount.
How many chairs and coat hangers are needed?: Provide at least one chair per stall, plus two chairs for registration and payment volunteers. For clothing sellers, allow 10 to 20 hangers per stall unless vendors bring their own, and confirm this requirement before the final shopping trip.
When should I buy drinks and prepare the flea market supplies?: Buy non-perishable supplies 2 to 3 days before the market and check them against the shopping list. Chill drinks the evening before, while coffee, tea equipment, serving trays and tableware should be laid out during setup on the morning of the event.

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