Taste Market shopping list: what to buy and bring

A taste market needs more than food: visitors also need plates, glasses, serving tools, payment equipment and clear signs. Use this list to prepare both the stalls and the shared service areas. Buy shelf-stable stock early, then schedule fresh produce, chilled drinks and desserts close to the event. Check power requirements before hiring coffee machines, kettles, warmers or induction hobs, and bring enough tables and seating for the expected flow of visitors.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentsqty 3
Foldable tablesqty 18
Beer tablesqty 8
Folding chairsqty 80
High tablesqty 8
Market tablesqty 12
Tableclothsqty 24
Stoolsqty 20

Tableware

Platesqty 250
Dessert platesqty 150
Cutlery setsqty 250
Water glassesqty 200
Wine glassesqty 120
Coffee cupsqty 100
Serving spoonsqty 20
Serving traysqty 16

Equipment

Coffee machinesqty 3
Kettlesqty 2
Coolersqty 6
Refrigeratorsqty 2
Food warmersqty 4
Induction hobsqty 4
Extension cordsqty 8
Power stripsqty 8
Payment terminalsqty 3
Bluetooth speakersqty 2

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 8
Chef’s knives and bread knivesqty 10
Mixing bowlsqty 8
Measuring cupsqty 4
Pliersqty 12
Serving spoonsqty 12
Storage binsqty 20
Aluminum foilqty 4

Decorations

Market flagsqty 2
Buntingqty 12
Chalkboardsqty 14
Menu standsqty 14
Name badgesqty 30
Table décorqty 20
Route signsqty 10

Lighting

String lightsqty 8
LED lampsqty 12
Batteriesqty 24

Safety

First aid kitsqty 2
Fire extinguishersqty 2
Non-slip matsqty 8
Cable matsqty 10
Bollardsqty 12

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 12
Waste binsqty 4
Cleaning bucketsqty 4
Mopsqty 4
Broomsqty 4
Dustpan and brushqty 4
Cleaning glovesqty 12

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 6 packs
- Decaf coffee - 1 pack
- Black tea - 3 boxes
- Herbal tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 2 kilos
- Sweetener - 2 boxes
- Semi-skimmed milk - 12 liters
- Oat milk - 6 liters
- Whipped cream - 4 cans
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Iced tea - 8 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 24 bottles
- Spa Rood - 12 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Orange juice - 6 cartons
- Beer - 8 crates
- Alcohol-free beer - 3 cases
- Dry white wine - 12 bottles
- Rosé - 8 bottles
- Red wine - 8 bottles
- Prosecco - 4 bottles
- Ice cubes - 20 kilo
- Lemons - 4 kilos
- Limes - 3 kilos
- Baguettes - 25 pieces
- Whole wheat bread - 10 loaves
- Pistolets - 40 pieces
- Tortilla wraps - 12 packs
- Unsalted butter - 2 kilos
- Olive oil - 4 bottles
- Sunflower oil - 2 bottles
- Balsamic vinegar - 2 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 4 jars
- Ketchup - 4 bottles
- Mustard - 3 jars
- Garlic sauce - 3 bottles
- Chili sauce - 3 bottles
- Pesto - 8 jars
- Hummus - 5 kilos
- Cream cheese - 3 kilos
- Young cheese - 5 kilos
- Brie - 3 kilo
- Goat cheese - 2 kilos
- Mozzarella - 3 kilos
- Parmesan cheese - 1 kilo
- Ham - 3 kilos
- Salami - 3 kilo
- Smoked chicken - 3 kilo
- Eggs - 10 cartons
- Chickpeas - 12 cans
- Kidney beans - 12 cans
- Lentils - 8 cans
- Pasta - 8 kilo
- Rice - 8 kilo
- Couscous - 5 kilos
- Diced tomatoes - 20 cans
- Passata - 10 packs
- Canned corn - 12 cans
- Olives - 6 jars
- Sun-dried tomatoes - 6 jars
- Pickles - 4 jars
- Cucumbers - 6 kilos
- Tomatoes - 12 kilos
- Bell peppers - 8 kilo
- Zucchini - 6 kilos
- Eggplants - 5 kilos
- Onions - 6 kilos
- Garlic - 2 kilos
- Carrots - 5 kilos
- Mixed salad - 8 kilos
- Arugula - 2 kilos
- Fresh basil - 20 bunches
- Fresh parsley - 10 bunches
- Fresh mint - 8 bunches
- Apples - 8 kilos
- Grapes - 6 kilos
- Strawberries - 5 kilo
- Melons - 6 pieces
- Lemons for dressing - 3 kilos
- Paprika powder - 500 grams
- Cumin - 250 grams
- Curry powder - 250 grams
- Oregano - 200 grams
- Dried basil - 200 grams
- Salt - 2 kilos
- Black pepper - 500 grams
- Chili flakes - 250 gram
- Bouillon cubes - 4 boxes
- Granulated sugar - 3 kilos
- Honey - 2 jars
- Flour - 5 kilo
- Baking powder - 4 sachets
- Vanilla sugar - 4 sachets
- Dark chocolate - 3 kilos
- Whipped cream desserts - 150 portions
- Cookies - 10 packs
- Mixed nuts - 4 kilos
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Tortilla chips - 8 bags
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 36 rolls
- Trash bags - 100 pieces
- Liquid hand soap - 8 bottles
- Dish soap - 4 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 4 bottles
- Disinfectant spray - 4 bottles
- Sponges - 20 pieces
- Microfiber cloths - 30 pieces
- Paper napkins - 1000 pieces
- Bamboo skewers - 1000 pieces
- Wooden stirrers - 500 pieces
- Paper straws - 500 pieces
- Coffee filters - 200 pieces
- Plastic wrap - 4 rolls
- Baking paper - 4 rolls

Tips

Plan at least one plate, one set of cutlery and one glass per visitor, plus 10–15% extra for breakage, spills and second portions. Keep dessert plates separate if sweet dishes are served throughout the market.
Buy shelf-stable products 7–14 days ahead, but leave fresh fruit, vegetables, sauces and desserts until 1–2 days before the market. This reduces waste while keeping ingredients in good condition.
Count chilled drinks by service period: allow 2–3 drinks per person for the first hour, then about 1 drink per person per additional hour. Reserve coolers or refrigerators early if exhibitors cannot provide their own.
Check every electrical item against the available outlets at least 7 days before opening. Coffee machines, kettles, food warmers and induction hobs should not all share one overloaded extension cord or power strip.
Prepare payment terminals, cash registers, name tags and route signs before the final setup day. Test each terminal and print or pack spare signs at least 24 hours before visitors arrive.

Frequently asked questions

What should I buy for a taste market?: Plan food and drinks together with plates, dessert plates, cutlery, water and wine glasses, serving spoons and trays. You may also need tables, tablecloths, coolers, coffee equipment, food warmers, payment terminals and route signs. Add 10–15% extra disposable or breakable service items.
How much food and drink do I need for a taste market?: For drinks, allow 2–3 per person in the first hour and about 1 per person for every additional hour. Food quantities depend on whether samples or full portions are served, so ask exhibitors for their portions and combine the totals before shopping. Keep a 10% buffer for popular stalls.
When should I buy food for a taste market?: Buy shelf-stable products 7–14 days in advance. Purchase fresh fruit, vegetables and chilled ingredients 1–2 days before the event, and chill drinks at least 12 hours before opening. Prepare sauces, dips and portioned desserts as close to service as storage allows.
How many plates and glasses do I need for a taste market?: Start with one plate, one set of cutlery and one drinking glass per expected visitor, then add 10–15% spare capacity. Provide extra dessert plates if tastings include several sweet courses. For wine service, count wine glasses separately from water glasses.

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