What you need for a vegetarian market

A vegetarian market needs more than fresh produce and tasting samples. You will need serving ware, chilled storage, preparation equipment, stall furniture, signage materials and a way to take payments. Use this list to check quantities before shopping, especially for plates, bowls, cups and cutlery. Fresh produce should arrive as close to opening time as possible and stay chilled until it is displayed. If the market is outdoors, arrange tents, transport carts and weather protection before the event week.

Organize this event for free with Lizzt

What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentsqty 6
Market stallsqty 12
Tablesqty 14
Chairsqty 80
Tableclothsqty 14
Stoolsqty 8
Clothes racksqty 4
Transport cartsqty 2

Tableware

Platesqty 220
Bowlsqty 120
Glassesqty 220
Coffee cupsqty 80
Cutlery setsqty 220
Serving spoonsqty 20
Serving plattersqty 20
Serving traysqty 8

Equipment

Refrigeratorsqty 2
Coolersqty 6
Coffee machinesqty 3
Kettlesqty 3
Hot traysqty 6
Cutting boardsqty 8
Kitchen knivesqty 8
Scalesqty 2
Extension cordsqty 8
Power stripsqty 8
Speakersqty 2
Microphone

Kitchen

Mixing bowlsqty 8
Measuring cupsqty 4
Scissorsqty 4
Serving utensilsqty 20
Food containersqty 30
Aluminum foilqty 6
Cling filmqty 6
Reusable storage containersqty 20

Decorations

Wayfinding signsqty 12
Menu boardsqty 12
Name badgesqty 40
Badge holdersqty 40
Buntingqty 12
Table décorqty 14
Chalkboardsqty 8

Lighting

LED lampsqty 12
String lightsqty 8

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 10
Litter pickersqty 4
Bucketsqty 6
Mopsqty 6
Broomsqty 4
Dustpan and brushqty 4
Hand soap dispensersqty 6

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee beans - 3 kilograms
- Tea bags - 200 pieces
- Black tea - 2 boxes
- Herbal tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 2 kilograms
- Oat milk - 12 liters
- Semi-skimmed milk - 8 liters
- Spa Blauw - 12 bottles
- Spa Rood - 8 bottles
- Cola - 8 bottles
- Cola Zero - 8 bottles
- Sinas - 6 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Grape juice - 4 cartons
- Lemons - 4 kilograms
- Fresh mint - 10 bunches
- Apples - 8 kilograms
- Bananas - 6 kilograms
- Grapes - 6 kilograms
- Oranges - 6 kilograms
- Cucumbers - 5 kilogram
- Cherry tomatoes - 5 kilo
- Cluster tomatoes - 5 kilograms
- Bell peppers - 4 kilograms
- Carrots - 5 kilograms
- Red onions - 2 kilograms
- Spring onions - 15 bunches
- Iceberg lettuce - 12 heads
- Arugula - 1.5 kilogram
- Spinach - 2 kilograms
- Avocados - 30 pieces
- Potatoes - 8 kilograms
- Sweet potatoes - 5 kilogram
- Zucchini - 4 kilogram
- Mushrooms - 4 kilogram
- Broccoli - 12 heads
- Cauliflower - 8 pieces
- Chickpeas - 24 cans
- Kidney beans - 18 cans
- Lentils - 12 cans
- Corn - 12 cans
- Coconut milk - 12 cans
- Diced tomatoes - 24 cans
- Passata - 12 bottles
- Basmati rice - 5 kilograms
- Couscous - 4 kilograms
- Quinoa - 3 kilograms
- Penne - 5 kilogram
- Whole wheat bread - 20 loaves
- Baguettes - 25 pieces
- Wraps - 120 pieces
- Pita bread - 80 pieces
- Falafel - 8 kilogram
- Tofu - 6 kilograms
- Tempeh - 4 kilogram
- Halloumi - 4 kilograms
- Feta - 3 kilograms
- Grated cheese - 4 kilograms
- Hummus - 6 kilograms
- Peanut butter - 4 jars
- Green pesto - 12 jars
- Mayonnaise - 4 jars
- Vegan mayonnaise - 4 jars
- Ketchup - 6 bottles
- Chili sauce - 4 bottles
- Garlic sauce - 4 bottles
- Olive oil - 6 bottles
- Balsamic vinegar - 3 bottles
- Apple cider vinegar - 3 bottles
- Mustard - 4 jars
- Salt - 2 kilograms
- Black pepper - 500 grams
- Paprika powder - 500 grams
- Cumin - 300 grams
- Curry powder - 300 grams
- Italian herbs - 300 gram
- Chili flakes - 200 grams
- Garlic - 1 kilogram
- Ginger - 1 kilogram
- Walnuts - 2 kilograms
- Sunflower seeds - 2 kilograms
- Raisins - 1 kilogram
- Tortilla chips - 12 bags
- Plain chips - 10 bags
- Paprika chips - 10 bags
- Olives - 8 jars
- Pickles - 6 jars
- Vegan cookies - 12 packs
- Brownies - 120 pieces
- Muffins - 120 pieces
- Baking paper - 6 rolls
- Paper napkins - 1000 pieces
- Wooden stirrers - 500 pieces
- Toothpicks - 500 pieces
- Sample cups - 500 pieces
- Garbage bags - 120 pieces
- Organic waste bags - 40 pieces
- Dish soap - 4 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 4 bottles
- Disinfectant spray - 4 bottles
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 48 rolls
- Hand soap - 6 refills
- Sponges - 12 pieces
- Nitrile gloves - 6 boxes
- Food storage bags - 4 boxes
- Cooling packs - 30 pieces

Tips

Allow at least one plate, bowl, cup and cutlery set per expected visitor if food is served for eating on site, plus 10% extra for breakages and second servings.
Plan chilled storage before buying fresh produce: use refrigerators or coolers with enough room for the food, and keep temperature-sensitive items out of direct sun during setup.
Count serving equipment by stall rather than only by guest. Each food stall should have its own serving spoons, platters or trays, and cutting boards and knives where preparation is needed.
Check electrical needs at least one week ahead. Coffee machines, kettles, hot trays and refrigerators may need separate extension cords or power strips, so confirm outlets before exhibitors arrive.
Pack payment and identification materials separately from the groceries. Keep the cash register, payment materials, name badges, labels and printed signs together so they are ready before doors open.

Frequently asked questions

How much tableware do I need for a vegetarian market?: Plan one plate, bowl, cup and cutlery set per visitor for on-site eating, then add 10% extra. For 100 visitors, that means at least 110 of each item used by everyone.
How many market stalls should I buy or arrange?: Provide one market stall or table per exhibitor, with one extra if you need a registration, payment or information point. Confirm the exhibitor count at least one week before the market so furniture and tablecloths can be arranged in time.
How long can fresh produce stay unrefrigerated at the market?: Keep cut produce and other perishable foods chilled until display and return them to cool storage within 2 hours. In hot weather, use coolers or refrigerators from setup through closing rather than leaving food on tables.
When should I buy supplies for a vegetarian market?: Buy reusable equipment, tableware, labels and signage materials at least one week ahead. Purchase fresh produce and other short-life ingredients as close to the market as practical, usually one day before or on the event day.

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.