LizztLIZZT

What to buy for a neighborhood meal

A neighborhood meal needs more than ingredients. Plan what guests will eat, what volunteers will serve with, and how food will stay cold or hot until everyone sits down. This shopping list covers the practical supplies behind the meal: plates and serving pieces, preparation tools, cooking equipment, and storage. Confirm registrations and dietary requirements before buying fresh groceries, then match quantities to the final serving count.

Organize this event for free with Lizzt

What to bring

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

Furniture

  • Tablesqty 8
  • Chairsqty 70
  • Buffet tablesqty 4
  • Coat racksqty 2

Tableware

  • Dinner platesqty 75
  • Soup bowlsqty 75
  • Dessert platesqty 75
  • Glassesqty 90
  • Coffee cupsqty 70
  • Forksqty 80
  • Knivesqty 80
  • Spoonsqty 80
  • Serving spoonsqty 12
  • Serving tongsqty 8
  • Serving plattersqty 12
  • Soup tureensqty 4
  • Coffee potsqty 3
  • Water jugsqty 8

Kitchen

  • Cutting boardsqty 6
  • Chef's knivesqty 6
  • Mixing bowlsqty 8
  • Measuring cupsqty 3
  • Lidded containersqty 12
  • Aluminum traysqty 12
  • Ladlesqty 6

Equipment

  • Hot platesqty 4
  • Large cooking potsqty 4
  • Coolersqty 4
  • Food warmersqty 6
  • Kettlesqty 2
  • Extension cordsqty 4
  • Power stripsqty 4

Decorations

  • Tableclothsqty 8
  • Menu Card Holdersqty 8
  • Name badgesqty 75
  • Buntingqty 8
  • Table decorationsqty 8

Lighting

  • String lightsqty 4
  • LED lampsqty 6

Cleaning

  • Waste binsqty 4
  • Washing-up basinsqty 3
  • Dish brushesqty 4
  • Spongesqty 8
  • Mopsqty 3
  • Bucketsqty 3
  • Hand soap dispensersqty 3

Catering

  • Groceries
    • Onions - 5 kilograms
    • Garlic - 8 bulbs
    • Carrots - 5 kilograms
    • Leek - 3 kilograms
    • Celery - 2 kilograms
    • Zucchini - 4 kilogram
    • Peppers - 3 kilograms
    • Mushrooms - 3 kilogram
    • Broccoli - 3 kilograms
    • Cucumbers - 3 kilograms
    • Tomatoes - 4 kilogram
    • Iceberg lettuce - 8 pieces
    • Fresh parsley - 6 bunches
    • Fresh basil - 6 bunches
    • Lemons - 12 pieces
    • Potatoes - 10 kilograms
    • Beef broth - 8 liters
    • Vegetable broth - 12 liters
    • Diced tomatoes - 24 cans
    • Tomato paste - 12 tubes
    • Passata - 8 liters
    • Penne - 8 kilograms
    • Red lentils - 3 kilograms
    • Chickpeas - 12 cans
    • Chicken breast - 8 kilogram
    • Feta cheese - 2 kilograms
    • Grated cheese - 3 kilogram
    • Parmesan cheese - 1 kilogram
    • Cooking cream - 6 liters
    • Olive oil - 3 liters
    • Sunflower oil - 2 liters
    • Balsamic vinegar - 2 bottles
    • Mayonnaise - 2 kilograms
    • Ketchup - 2 kilograms
    • Mustard - 1 kilogram
    • Salt - 1 kilogram
    • Black pepper - 250 grams
    • Paprika powder - 250 gram
    • Cumin - 250 grams
    • Italian herbs - 250 grams
    • Chili flakes - 100 grams
    • Apples - 6 kilogram
    • Bananas - 5 kilograms
    • Vanilla custard - 8 liter
    • Yogurt - 6 liter
    • Whipped cream - 3 liters
    • Cookies - 4 kilograms
    • Coffee - 4 packs
    • Tea - 2 boxes
    • Milk - 8 liters
    • Sugar - 2 kilograms
    • Cola - 12 bottles
    • Cola Zero - 8 bottles
    • Orange soda - 8 bottles
    • Apple juice - 8 liters
    • Alcohol-free beer - 48 bottles
    • Spa Blue - 60 bottles
    • Sparkling water - 24 bottles
    • Ice cubes - 10 kilograms
    • Trash bags - 3 rolls
    • Dish soap - 2 bottles
    • All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
    • Dishwasher tablets - 1 pack
    • Paper towels - 6 rolls
    • Toilet paper - 24 rolls
    • Hand soap - 3 bottles
    • Napkins - 200 pieces
    • Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
    • Cling film - 2 rolls
    • Baking paper - 2 rolls
    • Bread - 12 loaves
    • Butter - 1 kilogram
    • Hummus - 2 kilograms
    • Peanut butter - 2 jars
    • Jam - 3 jars

Tips

  • Calculate servings from confirmed registrations, then add a small buffer before buying fresh groceries. This prevents running short when portions are larger than expected.
  • Check plates, bowls, glasses, cups, and cutlery against the guest count several days ahead. Disposable backups are easy to forget once the invitations are sent.
  • Plan serving equipment separately from kitchen equipment: serving spoons, tongs, platters, soup tureens, and ladles are needed at the buffet, not just during preparation.
  • Check cold storage before buying perishables. If the refrigerator cannot hold everything, arrange coolers early and keep ingredients covered and separated by dish.
  • Buy shelf-stable products first and fresh groceries close to the meal. Wash and cut vegetables only after the menu and dietary requirements have been checked.

Frequently asked questions

How much food should I buy for a neighborhood meal?
Base the shop on the number of confirmed servings, not the number of invitations sent. Add around 5–10% extra for unexpected guests or larger portions, especially for the main dish and bread.
How many plates and glasses do I need per person?
Plan at least one dinner plate, one dessert plate, one glass, and a full set of cutlery per guest. Add 10% spare tableware; soup, coffee, or second servings may require extra bowls and cups.
When should I buy fresh groceries for the meal?
Buy fresh vegetables and other perishables one day before the meal when possible. Buy shelf-stable products earlier, then check cold storage and prepare ingredients on the day itself.
How much cold storage do I need for a neighborhood meal?
Allow enough space to keep all perishable ingredients covered and separated until preparation. Check the refrigerator at least 2–3 days beforehand; arrange coolers or additional storage immediately if it is already full.

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.

Organize this event for free with Lizzt

Organize for free and invite your contacts!