What to buy for a vegan picnic

A vegan picnic needs more than sandwiches and fruit. Plan food by serving time, then add the practical items that are easy to forget: coolers, serving utensils, reusable tableware, waste bins and a way to keep drinks cold. Wash produce and prepare salads, dips and desserts before you leave, so setup stays simple. Use your confirmed guest count to scale groceries, seating and cups instead of guessing at the last minute.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Foldable tablesqty 6
Folding chairsqty 30
Picnic blanketsqty 8
Tableclothsqty 6

Tableware

Reusable platesqty 40
Reusable bowlsqty 40
Reusable cupsqty 60
Reusable cutleryqty 60
Serving plattersqty 12
Serving tongsqty 8
Serving spoonsqty 6

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef's knivesqty 4
Mixing bowlsqty 6
Storage boxesqty 20

Equipment

Coolersqty 4
Thermos flasksqty 4
Portable speaker
Extension cordsqty 2

Lighting

String lightsqty 4
Battery lanternsqty 6

Decorations

Buntingqty 4
Table décorqty 6
Menusqty 8
Name badgesqty 40

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 4
Dishpanqty 2
Hand brush and dustpanqty 2

Catering

Groceries
- Whole wheat baguettes - 8 pieces
- Whole wheat wraps - 40 pieces
- Plain hummus - 2 kilograms
- Beet hummus - 1 kilogram
- Vegan cream cheese - 1 kilogram
- Vegan cheese slices - 1 kilogram
- Vegan falafel - 3 kilograms
- Lentils - 2 kilograms
- Chickpeas - 8 cans
- Quinoa - 1,5 kilogram
- Couscous - 1,5 kilogram
- Rice - 1 kilogram
- Cherry tomatoes - 3 kilograms
- Cucumbers - 10 pieces
- Bell peppers - 12 pieces
- Zucchinis - 6 pieces
- Carrots - 3 kilogram
- Red onions - 1 kilogram
- Spring onions - 4 bunches
- Arugula - 1 kilogram
- Spinach - 1 kilogram
- Mixed salad - 1.5 kilograms
- Avocados - 12 pieces
- Lemons - 12 pieces
- Garlic - 6 bulbs
- Fresh mint - 4 bunches
- Fresh parsley - 4 bunches
- Fresh coriander - 3 bunches
- Apples - 30 pieces
- Bananas - 30 pieces
- Grapes - 3 kilograms
- Strawberries - 3 kilograms
- Melons - 4 pieces
- Nut mix - 1,5 kilogram
- Pumpkin seeds - 500 grams
- Raisins - 500 grams
- Vegan cookies - 6 packs
- Vegan brownies - 40 pieces
- Olive oil - 2 liters
- Balsamic vinegar - 500 milliliters
- Tahini - 2 jars
- Soy sauce - 500 milliliter
- Vegan mayonnaise - 2 jars
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Chili sauce - 2 bottles
- Salt - 1 pack
- Black pepper - 1 canister
- Cumin - 1 can
- Paprika powder - 1 can
- Dried oregano - 1 tin
- Cinnamon - 1 canister
- Brown sugar - 1 kilogram
- Oat milk - 8 liters
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Herbal tea - 2 boxes
- Sparkling water - 12 bottles
- Still water - 12 bottles
- Lemonade - 8 liters
- Apple juice - 6 liters
- Orange juice - 6 liters
- Cola - 4 bottles
- Cola Zero - 4 bottles
- Ice cubes - 10 kilograms
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Trash bags - 40 pieces
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- Sponges - 6 pieces
- Hand soap - 2 bottles
- Hand gel - 3 bottles
- Paper napkins - 400 pieces

Tips

Plan about 2–3 drinks per person for the first hour, then add roughly 1 drink per person for each additional hour. Bring extra water, especially if the picnic location has no nearby shop or tap.
Buy non-perishable items several days ahead, but get fresh groceries no more than 1–2 days before the picnic. Keep salad ingredients, dips and desserts chilled until serving.
Pack at least one plate, bowl, cup and set of cutlery per guest, plus 10% extra for dropped or misplaced items. Reusable tableware also means bringing storage boxes or a dishpan for the return trip.
Use one cooler for drinks and another for food if possible. Pack salads, dips and other perishable foods in sealed containers and keep them cold until you set them out.
Do not leave cleanup supplies behind: bring waste bins, a hand brush and dustpan, and a dishpan for used tableware. Check the picnic site rules before bringing tables, chairs, extension cords or lights.

Frequently asked questions

How much food should I buy for a vegan picnic?: Allow around 500–700 grams of food per adult for a meal-length picnic, including bread, salads, snacks, dips and dessert. Add 10% extra if the guest count is uncertain or children are attending.
How many drinks do I need for a vegan picnic?: Plan 2–3 drinks per person for the first hour, followed by about 1 drink per person per additional hour. Include water as well as other chilled drinks, and bring a cooler with enough space for ice packs.
When should I buy groceries for a vegan picnic?: Buy shelf-stable groceries 2–4 days in advance and fresh produce 1–2 days before the event. Prepare salads, dips and desserts on the day before when possible, then keep them refrigerated until transport.
How many reusable plates and cups do I need?: Bring one plate, bowl, cup and cutlery set per guest, plus at least 10% extra. For 20 guests, that means 22 of each item so a dropped or misplaced piece does not disrupt the picnic.

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