International Picnic Shopping List

An international picnic works best when every dish has a clear place, serving utensil, and temperature plan. Shop for shared tableware, buffet equipment, drinks, cooling supplies, and basic preparation tools rather than relying on guests to bring everything. For a mixed group, confirm dietary requirements and allergens before buying food, then label dishes at the buffet. The checklist below covers the practical supplies that are easy to overlook until guests arrive.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentsqty 3
Tablesqty 8
Chairsqty 70
Picnic blanketsqty 12
Buffet tablesqty 4
Stoolsqty 8

Tableware

Reusable platesqty 80
Reusable bowlsqty 70
Reusable cupsqty 100
Coffee cupsqty 50
Forksqty 80
Knivesqty 80
Spoonsqty 80
Serving spoonsqty 20
Serving bowlsqty 18
Serving utensilsqty 18
Scissorsqty 4

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 6
Chef's knifeqty 6
Bread knivesqty 3
Mixing bowlsqty 8
Measuring cupsqty 3
Scissorsqty 4
Aluminum foilqty 4
Cling filmqty 4
Coolersqty 8
Ice packsqty 30
Thermos flasksqty 6
Water jugsqty 8
Pouring bottlesqty 8

Equipment

Bluetooth speakersqty 2
Extension cordsqty 3
Power stripsqty 3
Rechargeable lampsqty 8
Handheld megaphone

Lighting

String lightsqty 6
Lanternsqty 8

Decorations

Buntingqty 8
Country flagsqty 60
Tableclothsqty 8
Name badgesqty 80
Table numbersqty 8
Allergen cardsqty 30
Chalkboardsqty 6
Chalk markersqty 8
Photo propsqty 20

Sports equipment

Footballsqty 2
Frisbeesqty 4
Badminton setsqty 3
Skipping ropesqty 4
Wooden gamesqty 4
Playing cardsqty 6

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 8
Reusable trash bagsqty 30
Hand soap dispensersqty 4
Towel rollsqty 8
Cleaning bucketsqty 4
Dish brushesqty 4
Reusable cleaning clothsqty 20
Dustpan and brushqty 3
Crumb vacuumsqty 2

Catering

Groceries
- Still water - 48 bottles
- Sparkling water - 24 bottles
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 8 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Ginger beer - 12 bottles
- Iced tea - 12 bottles
- Apple juice - 8 cartons
- Orange juice - 8 packs
- Lemons - 3 kilogram
- Fresh mint - 8 bunches
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Decaf coffee - 1 pack
- Black tea - 2 boxes
- Green tea - 2 boxes
- Herbal tea - 2 boxes
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 6 liters
- Sugar - 2 kilograms
- Sweeteners - 2 boxes
- Teaspoons - 2 packs
- Yogurt - 5 kilograms
- Hummus - 3 kilograms
- Tzatziki - 2 kilogram
- Guacamole - 2 kilograms
- Salsa - 2 kilograms
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Olive oil - 2 bottles
- Balsamic vinegar - 2 bottles
- Apple cider vinegar - 1 bottle
- Soy sauce - 2 bottles
- Sesame oil - 1 bottle
- Salt - 1 kilogram
- Black pepper - 250 grams
- Paprika powder - 100 grams
- Cumin - 100 grams
- Cinnamon - 100 gram
- Chili flakes - 100 grams
- Garlic - 6 bulbs
- Onions - 3 kilograms
- Spring onions - 6 bunches
- Ginger - 500 grams
- Basmati rice - 3 kilogram
- Couscous - 3 kilograms
- Quinoa - 2 kilograms
- Pasta - 3 kilograms
- Tortilla wraps - 80 pieces
- Pita bread - 60 pieces
- Naan bread - 30 pieces
- Baguettes - 12 pieces
- Whole grain bread - 8 loaves
- Gluten-free bread - 3 loaves
- Falafel - 4 kilograms
- Chicken breast - 4 kilograms
- Vegetarian burgers - 40 pieces
- Feta - 2 kilograms
- Mozzarella - 2 kilograms
- Gouda cheese - 3 kilograms
- Cream cheese - 2 kilograms
- Eggs - 60 pieces
- Chickpeas - 12 cans
- Kidney beans - 12 cans
- Corn - 10 cans
- Diced tomatoes - 12 cans
- Tomatoes - 6 kilograms
- Cucumbers - 4 kilogram
- Bell peppers - 4 kilograms
- Carrots - 4 kilograms
- Courgettes - 3 kilograms
- Eggplants - 3 kilogram
- Red cabbage - 2 kilograms
- Lettuce - 12 heads
- Spinach - 2 kilograms
- Avocados - 20 pieces
- Olives - 3 kilograms
- Raisins - 1 kilogram
- Pine nuts - 500 grams
- Sesame seeds - 500 gram
- Walnuts - 1 kilogram
- Almonds - 1 kilogram
- Cashews - 1 kilogram
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Tortilla chips - 8 bags
- Rice crackers - 6 packs
- Popcorn - 4 bags
- Apples - 8 kilograms
- Bananas - 8 kilograms
- Grapes - 6 kilograms
- Strawberries - 5 kilograms
- Melons - 6 pieces
- Oranges - 6 kilograms
- Peaches - 5 kilograms
- Dates - 2 kilogram
- Brownies - 80 pieces
- Muffins - 80 pieces
- Baklava - 3 kilograms
- Cookies - 8 packs
- Gluten-free cookies - 4 packs
- Chocolate - 3 kilograms
- Vanilla ice cream - 6 liters
- Coconut milk - 8 cans
- Agar-agar - 4 bags
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Dish soap - 4 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 4 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 6 bottles
- Sponges - 12 pieces
- Disposable gloves - 4 boxes
- Food containers - 40 pieces
- Ziplock bags - 6 boxes
- Baking paper - 4 rolls

Tips

Plan reusable plates, bowls, cups, coffee cups, and cutlery for every guest, plus at least 10% extra for replacements. For 50 people, that means 55 plates, 55 cups, and 55 sets of forks, knives, and spoons.
Allow two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then one drink per person per additional hour. Use water jugs and pouring bottles for easy refills, and keep chilled drinks in coolers with ice packs.
Give every shared dish its own serving spoon, bowl, or serving utensil. This prevents guests from using cutlery from their place setting and helps keep vegetarian and allergen-sensitive food separate.
Buy non-perishable supplies several days ahead, but order fresh produce one to two days before the picnic. Keep aluminum foil and cling film ready for covering dishes, leftovers, and food during transport.
Pack preparation tools even if food is made elsewhere: cutting boards, a chef’s knife, bread knives, mixing bowls, measuring cups, and scissors. Add thermos flasks for hot drinks and check that coolers are cold before loading them.

Frequently asked questions

What should I buy for an international picnic?: Buy shared food and drinks, reusable plates, bowls, cups, cutlery, serving utensils, buffet supplies, coolers, ice packs, water jugs, and food-wrapping materials. Add preparation tools such as cutting boards, knives, mixing bowls, and scissors if food will be assembled on site.
How much food and drink do I need per person for a picnic?: Plan one main portion per guest, with extra servings for the most popular dishes and at least one clearly marked vegetarian option. For drinks, allow two to three per person during the first hour, then one per person for each additional hour.
How early should I shop for an international picnic?: Buy non-perishable items three to seven days ahead and order fresh produce one to two days before the event. Check dietary requirements and allergens before finalising the food order, ideally at least one week in advance.
How many plates and cups do I need for a picnic?: Provide one plate, bowl, cup, and cutlery set per guest, plus around 10% extra. For 50 guests, prepare 55 of each reusable plate, bowl, and cup, along with 55 sets of forks, knives, and spoons.

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