What you need for a leftovers festival

A leftovers festival needs more than donated food. You also need enough reusable tableware, cooking equipment, chilled storage and serving tools to turn mixed ingredients into safe, shareable meals. Plan equipment around your expected attendance, with at least one plate, bowl, glass and cutlery set per guest, plus a 10% buffer. Check power, transport and storage before shopping; these are the items most often arranged too late.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentsqty 3
Foldable tablesqty 12
Folding chairsqty 80
Buffet tablesqty 4
High tablesqty 6
Market tablesqty 6
Stoolsqty 12
Tableclothsqty 18
Transport cartsqty 2

Tableware

Reusable platesqty 180
Reusable bowlsqty 120
Reusable glassesqty 180
Mugsqty 80
Cutlery setsqty 180
Serving spoonsqty 12
Soup ladlesqty 8
Cutting boardsqty 12
Serving plattersqty 20
Serving tongsqty 12

Equipment

Coolersqty 6
Induction hobsqty 6
Cooking potsqty 8
Frying pansqty 6
Kettlesqty 3
Coffee machinesqty 3
Food warmersqty 6
Thermos flasksqty 8
Extension cordsqty 8
Power stripsqty 6
Handheld microphonesqty 2
Speakersqty 2

Kitchen

Cook’s paddlesqty 8
Kitchen knivesqty 12
Measuring cupsqty 6
Mixing bowlsqty 12
Colandersqty 6
Apronsqty 12
Cutting board matsqty 6
Cold thermometersqty 4
Rolls of labelsqty 6

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 8
Compost binsqty 4
Cleaning bucketsqty 4
Broom setsqty 3
Mopsqty 4
Litter pickersqty 4
Washing-up basinsqty 4
Hand soap dispensersqty 6

Decorations

Reusable buntingqty 8
Chalkboardsqty 10
Menu standsqty 12
Plant potsqty 12
Table numbersqty 20

Lighting

LED light stringsqty 6
LED lampsqty 8
Battery lanternsqty 6

Catering

Groceries
- Potatoes - 15 kg
- Sweet potatoes - 6 kg
- Carrots - 8 kg
- Onions - 6 kg
- Red onions - 3 kg
- Leeks - 5 kg
- Zucchini - 5 kg
- Bell peppers - 5 kg
- Tomatoes - 8 kg
- Cucumbers - 4 kg
- Cauliflower - 8 pieces
- Broccoli - 6 kg
- Mushrooms - 4 kg
- Spinach - 3 kg
- Kale - 3 kg
- Red cabbage - 4 pieces
- White cabbage - 4 pieces
- Lettuce - 12 heads
- Celery - 3 bunches
- Garlic - 12 bulbs
- Apples - 8 kg
- Pears - 6 kg
- Bananas - 6 kg
- Oranges - 8 kg
- Lemons - 4 kg
- Grapes - 4 kg
- Raisins - 2 kg
- Chickpeas - 4 kg
- Lentils - 4 kg
- Kidney beans - 4 kg
- White beans - 3 kg
- Rice - 8 kg
- Couscous - 5 kg
- Pasta - 8 kg
- Oatmeal - 4 kg
- Bread - 30 loaves
- Pita bread - 100 pieces
- Tortillas - 100 pieces
- Flour - 5 kg
- Whole wheat flour - 3 kg
- Breadcrumbs - 2 kg
- Eggs - 120 pieces
- Cheese - 5 kg
- Feta - 2 kg
- Yogurt - 8 liter
- Cream - 4 liters
- Milk - 12 liters
- Plant-based milk - 8 liters
- Butter - 2 kg
- Olive oil - 3 liters
- Sunflower oil - 3 liters
- Vegetable stock - 2 kg
- Diced tomatoes - 24 cans
- Tomato paste - 12 cans
- Coconut milk - 12 cans
- Peanut butter - 3 jars
- Hummus - 4 kg
- Mayonnaise - 3 jars
- Ketchup - 3 bottles
- Mustard - 3 jars
- Soy sauce - 2 bottles
- Vinegar - 3 bottles
- Honey - 2 jars
- Jam - 4 jars
- Salt - 2 kg
- Black pepper - 500 grams
- Paprika powder - 500 grams
- Cumin - 300 grams
- Curry powder - 300 grams
- Italian herbs - 300 gram
- Chili flakes - 200 grams
- Bay leaves - 100 gram
- Sugar - 4 kg
- Baking powder - 500 grams
- Coffee - 4 kg
- Tea - 300 bags
- Sparkling water - 40 bottles
- Still water - 60 bottles
- Apple juice - 20 liters
- Orange juice - 20 liters
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Ginger beer - 12 bottles
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 100 pieces
- Compostable bags - 50 pieces
- Dish soap - 4 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 4 bottles
- Hand soap - 6 bottles
- Disinfectant - 4 bottles
- Sponges - 20 pieces
- Nitrile gloves - 400 pieces
- Aluminum foil - 4 rolls
- Baking paper - 4 rolls
- Plastic wrap - 4 rolls

Tips

Buy or collect 10% more reusable plates, bowls, glasses and cutlery sets than your registration total. For 100 guests, that means 110 of each so washing delays or damaged items do not stop service.
Allow one serving spoon or pair of tongs for every dish on the buffet, and at least two soup ladles if soup is on the programme. Keep cutting boards and serving platters separate from ready-to-eat food preparation.
Plan cold storage before donations arrive. Use coolers for ingredients that must stay chilled, and confirm that there is enough room in the storage area for sorted food rather than relying on a last-minute supermarket run.
Count power connections before bringing induction hobs, coffee machines or kettles. Extension cords and power strips should be checked for the venue’s available outlets, and food warmers should be positioned where volunteers can monitor them.
Do not leave transport and weather protection until the event day. Transport carts, party tents, tables and tablecloths are needed before food sorting and setup begin, while chairs and stools should match the number of people expected to eat or volunteer.

Frequently asked questions

What should I buy for a leftovers festival?: Start with reusable plates, bowls, glasses, mugs and cutlery, then add serving spoons, soup ladles, tongs, platters and cutting boards. You will also need cooking pots, frying pans, induction hobs, kettles, coffee machines, coolers and food warmers. Add tables, seating, party tents, transport carts and power equipment based on your attendance and venue.
How many plates and glasses do I need for 100 guests?: Plan for at least 110 reusable plates, bowls, glasses and cutlery sets for 100 guests, giving you a 10% buffer. If the event has separate meal and dessert services without washing facilities, increase that number to cover both services.
How much serving equipment is needed for a leftovers festival?: Allow one serving spoon or pair of tongs for every buffet dish, plus one soup ladle for each soup container. Prepare at least two cutting boards and two serving platters for every main food station, then adjust after the programme and menu are confirmed.
When should I arrange equipment for a leftovers festival?: Confirm tables, cooking equipment, coolers, transport and power at least two weeks before the festival. Check storage capacity, wash and inspect reusable items, and test coffee machines, kettles and induction hobs no later than 48 hours before setup.

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