What to buy for a Liberation Market

A Liberation Market needs more than stalls and tables. You also need serving supplies, hot-drink equipment, power accessories, lighting, signage and reusable tableware ready before setup day. Plan quantities around the number of exhibitors, volunteers and visitors, then add a small reserve for breakages and unexpected demand. This checklist helps you buy or bring the items that are easiest to overlook, especially cable protection, waste supplies and equipment for changing weather.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Market stallsqty 20
Party tentsqty 4
Tablesqty 12
Chairsqty 30
Beer tablesqty 8
Foldable tablesqty 4
Countersqty 2
Cratesqty 12

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 300
Coffee cupsqty 80
Platesqty 150
Cutlery setsqty 150
Serving plattersqty 20
Pitchersqty 6
Thermos flasksqty 6

Equipment

Coffee machinesqty 3
Kettlesqty 3
Coolersqty 8
Extension cordsqty 8
Power stripsqty 8
Cable matsqty 10
Walkie-talkiesqty 6
Megaphone

Lighting

String lightsqty 8
Work lightsqty 4
Battery lanternsqty 6

Decorations

Dutch flagsqty 20
Orange pennantsqty 10
Paper garlandsqty 12
Tableclothsqty 12
Balloonsqty 200
Balloon pumpqty 2
Chalkboardsqty 6
Directional signsqty 12
Cocktail table coversqty 6

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef's knivesqty 4
Pliersqty 6
Serving spoonsqty 6
Measuring cupsqty 3
Ice packsqty 30
Aluminum foilqty 4
Food storage containersqty 20
Corkscrewsqty 3

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 12
Litter pickersqty 4
Broom setsqty 4
Dustpan and brushqty 4
Mopsqty 4
Bucketsqty 4
Cleaning cart
Glovesqty 12

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Tea bags - 200 pieces
- Sugar - 3 kilos
- Milk - 20 liters
- Oat milk - 6 liters
- Cola - 24 bottles
- Coke Zero - 24 bottles
- Sinas - 18 bottles
- Ice tea - 18 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 60 bottles
- Spa Red - 24 bottles
- Apple juice - 12 cartons
- Orange juice - 12 cartons
- Ice cubes - 20 kilo
- Mini rolls - 250 pieces
- Whole grain bread - 10 loaves
- White rolls - 100 pieces
- Young cheese - 5 kilos
- Back ham - 3 kilos
- Chicken breast topping - 3 kilos
- Hummus - 2 kilos
- Cream cheese - 2 kilo
- Peanut butter - 2 jars
- Jam - 2 jars
- Butter - 2 kilos
- Cucumbers - 12 pieces
- Tomatoes - 5 kilos
- Lettuce - 8 heads
- Bell peppers - 3 kilos
- Carrots - 3 kilos
- Cherry tomatoes - 3 kilos
- Apples - 8 kilos
- Bananas - 6 kilos
- Grapes - 4 kilos
- Mini croissants - 150 pieces
- Raisin buns - 100 pieces
- Plain chips - 20 bags
- Paprika chips - 20 bags
- Snacks - 12 bags
- Mixed nuts - 4 kilos
- Cookies - 8 packs
- Mayonnaise - 3 bottles
- Ketchup - 3 bottles
- Mustard - 2 bottles
- Barbecue sauce - 2 bottles
- Napkins - 1000 pieces
- Paper straws - 300 pieces
- Disposable cups - 300 pieces
- Disposable containers - 250 pieces
- Baking paper - 4 rolls
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Trash bags - 100 pieces
- Cleaning product - 4 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 4 bottles
- Dish soap - 4 bottles
- Sponges - 12 pieces
- Toilet paper - 48 rolls
- Hand soap - 8 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 6 bottles

Tips

Count reusable cups, coffee cups, plates and cutlery for your busiest expected serving period, then add about 10% extra. A market with 200 visitors may need at least 220 pieces of each frequently used item.
Check every stall’s power needs before buying extension cords and power strips. Keep cables off walking routes with cable mats, and arrange enough lighting for both the stalls and the route to the toilets.
Prepare hot-drink service separately from cold drinks: coffee machines, kettles, thermos flasks, serving jugs and cups should be grouped together and tested at least one day before the market.
Bring weather protection for every exposed service point. Party tents, tablecloths, crates and covered storage prevent stock, printed exhibitor lists and serving equipment from sitting directly on wet ground.
Pack a clearly marked event box with wristbands, badges, route signs, a megaphone and walkie-talkies. Print the exhibitor list and route signs before setup, with spare copies for the entrance and volunteer team.

Frequently asked questions

What should I buy for a Liberation Market?: Start with market stalls, tables, chairs, tents, tablecloths and crates. Add reusable cups, coffee cups, plates, cutlery, serving platters, jugs and thermos flasks, plus power, lighting and communication equipment. Buy quantities based on your exhibitor and visitor numbers, with roughly 10% spare tableware.
How many cups do I need for a Liberation Market?: Count the maximum number of drinks you expect to serve during the busiest hour, not the total visitor count. For 200 expected visitors, a starting point is 220 reusable cups and 220 coffee cups if both drinks are served, adjusted for your programme and refill system.
When should I buy supplies for a Liberation Market?: Buy durable equipment and tableware at least 2–3 weeks before the market. Check coffee machines, kettles, lighting and power equipment 3–7 days beforehand, and prepare the shelf-stable stock and printed materials the day before setup.
What do people often forget for a Liberation Market?: Cable mats, spare tablecloths, extra serving jugs, battery lanterns and printed route signs are commonly missed. Pack these at least one day before the event, and keep spare copies of the exhibitor list at the entrance and volunteer point.

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