What you need for an international food market

An international food market needs more than food and market stalls. You will need serving ware for different dishes, reliable cooling and heating equipment, payment supplies, and enough tables for vendors and guests. This shopping list helps you prepare for multiple food stands, dietary information, and changing weather without buying the wrong items too late. Use your registration numbers and vendor menus to adjust quantities before placing orders.

Organize this event for free with Lizzt

What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentsqty 4
Market stallsqty 10
Foldable tablesqty 14
Folding chairsqty 80
High tablesqty 8
Tableclothsqty 18
Cratesqty 20

Tableware

Reusable platesqty 150
Reusable bowlsqty 100
Reusable cupsqty 180
Wine glassesqty 60
Coffee cupsqty 50
Knivesqty 150
Forksqty 150
Spoonsqty 120
Serving spoonsqty 25
Pliersqty 20
Serving plattersqty 30
Serving plattersqty 20
Measuring cupsqty 8

Equipment

Gas burnersqty 6
Electric hotplatesqty 4
Food warmersqty 8
Refrigeratorsqty 3
Coolersqty 8
Ice cube traysqty 6
Coffee machinesqty 3
Kettlesqty 3
Payment terminalsqty 4
Power stripsqty 10
Extension cordsqty 12
Flashlightsqty 6

Kitchen

Chef's knivesqty 12
Cutting boardsqty 12
Mixing bowlsqty 12
Pansqty 10
Cooking potsqty 8
Colandersqty 8
Graterqty 4
Vegetable peelersqty 4
Spatulasqty 12
Ladlesqty 12
Kitchen tongsqty 12
Oven mittsqty 8
Aluminum foilqty 6
Food storage containersqty 30
Labelsqty 200

Decorations

Buntingqty 12
Country flagsqty 20
Menu board holdersqty 12
Chalkboardsqty 12
Directional signsqty 10
Name badgesqty 40

Lighting

String lightsqty 8
LED lanternsqty 12

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 12
Sorting binsqty 4
Broomsqty 4
Litter pickersqty 3
Bucketsqty 6
Mopsqty 6
Dish brushesqty 6
Hand soap dispensersqty 6

Catering

Groceries
- Basmati Rice - 8 kilograms
- Couscous - 4 kilograms
- Noodles - 5 kilograms
- Spaghetti - 5 kilograms
- Tortilla wraps - 120 pieces
- Naan bread - 50 pieces
- Pita bread - 60 pieces
- Baguettes - 20 pieces
- Hamburger buns - 50 pieces
- Chickpeas - 5 kilograms
- Lentils - 4 kilograms
- Black beans - 3 kilograms
- Kidney beans - 3 kilograms
- Chicken breast - 12 kilograms
- Ground beef - 8 kilograms
- Pork - 6 kilograms
- Shrimp - 5 kilogram
- Tofu - 4 kilograms
- Halloumi - 3 kilograms
- Eggs - 120 pieces
- Feta - 3 kilograms
- Mozzarella - 3 kilograms
- Parmesan cheese - 1 kilogram
- Cheddar - 3 kilograms
- Yogurt - 8 kilograms
- Coconut milk - 12 liters
- Cooking cream - 8 liters
- Butter - 3 kilograms
- Olive oil - 5 liters
- Sunflower oil - 10 liters
- Sesame oil - 2 liters
- Onions - 10 kilogram
- Garlic - 1 kilogram
- Ginger - 1 kilogram
- Potatoes - 12 kilogram
- Sweet potatoes - 8 kilograms
- Tomatoes - 10 kilogram
- Cucumbers - 6 kilograms
- Bell peppers - 8 kilogram
- Carrots - 6 kilograms
- Zucchini - 6 kilogram
- Eggplants - 5 kilograms
- Cauliflower - 5 kilogram
- Spinach - 4 kilogram
- Lettuce - 20 heads
- Avocados - 40 pieces
- Limes - 6 kilograms
- Lemons - 5 kilograms
- Coriander - 20 bunches
- Parsley - 15 Bunches
- Mint - 10 bunches
- Basil - 10 bunches
- Shredded coconut - 2 kilogram
- Peanuts - 3 kilograms
- Cashews - 3 kilograms
- Sesame seeds - 1 kilogram
- Raisins - 2 kilograms
- Dates - 3 kilogram
- Flour - 5 kilogram
- Corn flour - 3 kilogram
- Sugar - 5 kilograms
- Honey - 3 kilograms
- Baking powder - 500 grams
- Salt - 2 kilograms
- Black pepper - 500 grams
- Paprika powder - 500 grams
- Cumin - 500 grams
- Turmeric - 300 gram
- Curry powder - 500 grams
- Cinnamon - 300 grams
- Chili powder - 300 grams
- Oregano - 250 grams
- Soy sauce - 4 liters
- Fish sauce - 2 liters
- Sriracha - 3 liters
- Sambal - 3 liters
- Tomato passata - 8 liters
- Tomato purée - 3 kilograms
- Mayonnaise - 5 liter
- Ketchup - 5 liter
- Mustard - 2 liters
- Tahini - 3 kilogram
- Hummus - 5 kilogram
- Pizza sauce - 4 liters
- Chili sauce - 3 liters
- Apples - 8 kilograms
- Bananas - 8 kilograms
- Mangoes - 30 pieces
- Pineapple - 8 pieces
- Grapes - 6 kilograms
- Oranges - 8 kilogram
- Vanilla ice cream - 8 liters
- Chocolate sauce - 2 liters
- Coffee - 3 kilograms
- Black tea - 200 bags
- Herbal tea - 100 bags
- Milk - 20 liters
- Oat milk - 10 liters
- Sugar sachets - 500 pieces
- Cola - 24 bottles
- Coke Zero - 24 bottles
- Lemonade - 20 liters
- Spa Blauw - 120 bottles
- Spa Red - 60 bottles
- Apple juice - 12 liters
- Orange juice - 12 liters
- Ginger beer - 24 bottles
- Alcohol-free beer - 48 bottles
- Red wine - 18 bottles
- White wine - 18 bottles
- Rosé - 12 bottles
- Beer - 120 cans
- Ice cubes - 30 kilograms
- Paper napkins - 1000 pieces
- Baking paper - 6 rolls
- Cling film - 6 rolls
- Aluminum foil - 6 rolls
- Disposable gloves - 500 pieces
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Dish soap - 5 liters
- All-purpose cleaner - 5 liters
- Disinfectant - 5 liters
- Hand soap - 4 liters
- Toilet paper - 48 rolls
- Trash bags - 150 pieces
- Paper bowls - 300 pieces
- Wooden skewers - 500 pieces
- Straws - 300 pieces

Tips

Plan reusable plates, bowls, cups and cutlery for at least 1.5 times the number of expected visitors if washing facilities are limited. Add serving spoons, tongs and platters for every food stall, rather than expecting vendors to share.
Allow one refrigerated storage option or cooler space for each vendor handling perishable food, and arrange ice before opening time. Food that arrives early is often forgotten when the market has only one shared refrigerator.
Count power-hungry equipment before booking electricity. List coffee machines, kettles, electric hotplates, refrigerators and payment terminals separately, then bring power strips only where the supply can safely support them.
Pack tablecloths, crates and clear price lists for every pitch. Crates keep food and supplies off the ground, while printed allergen and price information prevents queues when vendors are busy.
Prepare a weather backup with party tents and secure seating, not just umbrellas. Confirm the forecast 48 hours before the market and check that tents, tables and stalls can be delivered before vendors arrive.

Frequently asked questions

How many plates, bowls and cups do I need for an international food market?: Start with 1.5 sets per expected visitor when reusable tableware cannot be washed during the event. For 100 visitors, that means about 150 plates, 150 bowls and 150 cups, adjusted for your menu and expected turnover.
What equipment does each food stall need?: Give each stall its own table or market stall, tablecloth, serving platters, serving utensils, price list and allergen information. Add a gas burner, electric hotplate, food warmer, refrigerator or cooler only when the vendor’s menu requires it.
How much cooling and ice should I arrange?: Provide enough refrigerator or cooler space for all perishable food delivered before opening, with separate space for drinks where possible. Buy or prepare ice at least 2 hours before service and confirm the required volume with each vendor.
When should I buy or reserve supplies for an international food market?: Reserve market stalls, tents, tables, chairs, refrigerators and payment terminals at least 4 weeks ahead. Confirm quantities, menus, power needs and dietary requirements 7 days before the event, then check deliveries again 48 hours beforehand.

Start this plan in Lizzt

Every task and item on this page, ready in your own event. Invite people, split the work, and see who has done what.