Craft Services Shopping List & Tips

Craft services are the items you eat and drink while you’re on a film set. From breakfast to dinner and snacking in between, craft services is an essential part of any production. During a long day of filming, snacks and warm meals are immensely appreciated.

The craft services table is a great place for crew and cast members to take a break and connect with each other while getting the energy they need to continue with production. Use this shopping list and tips to help you stay organized and ensure your crew is well-fed.

Wits End offers a variety of craft services items as well as a full range of other expendables you’ll need on set. Shop Now

Shopping List for Craft Services

It’s important to note that there is a difference between craft services and catering. Catering is typically provided by a third party that preps and delivers food for you. These meals are extensive and can be elaborate sit-down affairs to the finest food truck on location that bring everyone together for.

Craft services, on the other hand, can be more DIY or can even have a dedicated team to handle it. Usually, the producer and production assistants are responsible for ensuring snacks, drinks, and grab-and-go foods are provided for people to take throughout the day, but often, the craft services department spices things up a bit with elegant foods. You will also tend to rely on craft services the most first thing in the morning and late into the night for a hot cup of coffee or cappuccino.

Breakfast

Wits End Breakfast Kit

Providing breakfast will help kickstart your crew’s day on set. When stocking your craft services station for breakfast, consider including foods that are filling, easy to prepare, and can be grabbed on the go. Try to set this up earlier than people are scheduled to arrive so the items that need to be warmed up—especially coffee—will be hot and ready.

Craft service breakfast items might include:

• Fruit such as apples, bananas, and oranges
• Breakfast sandwiches
• Breakfast burritos
• Muffins or pastries
• Bagels and cream cheese
• An oatmeal station
• Coffee, tea, and fruit juice

The Wits End Breakfast Kit ensures you’ll have the items you need on hand, including coffee sweeteners, stirrers, coffee, utensils, and all the other supplies you need to present a satisfying breakfast spread first thing in the morning.

Lunch

Offering craft services for lunch is a great way to provide a midday break for your crew. Aim for lighter, healthier food items that will give people the boost of energy they need for the rest of the day.

Lunch items might include:

• A sandwich spread
• Burritos
• Burgers
• Pizza
• Salad bar
• Potato salad or pasta salad

Dinner

Dinner and lunch can be interchangeable, but a warm meal toward the end of the day—especially if you are expecting to film into the late hours—boosts morale. Aim to provide a warm and hearty meal.

Dinner items might include:

• Create-your-own taco bar
• Stir fry
• Barbecue
• Lasagna
• Steak & Baked Potatoes

Snacks

Besides meals, it’s essential to provide snacks throughout the day so your crew members can stay energized between meals. Keep these items on hand throughout the day:

• Fresh fruit
• Trail mix
• Chips and Granola bars
• Hummus and sliced vegetables
• Cheese and crackers
• Warm hors d’oeuves
• Turkey and cheese wraps
• Soda, carbonated water, bottled tea, bottled water

Service & Cleanup Items

In addition to food items, be sure to add these essential service and clean up items to your craft services shopping list!

• Tables and chairs so people can relax as they eat
• Cutlery, plates, and cups
• Napkins and paper towels
• Ice
• Trash cans and trash bags
• Sugar, creamer, condiments, and seasonings such as salt and pepper
• Sanitation supplies, such as hand sanitizer, sanitizing wipes, hand soap, and dish soap

Tips for Successful Craft Services

Keeping your cast and crew well-fed can be a big responsibility. Follow these tips for a well-stocked and efficient craft services table on your set:

Designate Someone to be Responsible for Craft Services

By having someone in charge of craft service items, food will be replenished as needed without any problems. This ensures you won’t run out of coffee in the mornings, ice during summertime, or any other important items.

A designated person can also clean the table and keep things neat. More likely than not, you will be shooting in a location where you will need to be respectful and clean. When you’re done filming and you pack up, you can’t leave crumbs or trash behind.

Ask Crew Members About Dietary Restrictions

The whole point of craft services is to ensure that people have what they need to stay well-fed and energized throughout production. It’s unfair if someone who is allergic to gluten, follows a vegan lifestyle or is allergic to nuts is left without anything to eat. Always check in with your crew and accommodate a variety of dietary needs.

Foods such as salad bars and sandwiches make it easy to provide something for everyone. If someone has a severe allergy or truly needs a specially-made meal, make sure this is set aside and clearly labeled for them so no one else takes it.

Buy in Bulk

Getting items in bulk will help your planning and your budget. You will likely go through craft services quickly if you have a big crew. Buying in bulk allows you to store extras near the table so you can easily replenish things that have run out. It’s always a good idea to be well-stocked, especially if you have a large number of people working on set or are planning to film late into the night.

Find Everything You Need for Craft Services at Wits End

Having the opportunity to re-energize can make or break how well people perform throughout your production. A well-stocked craft services table is the perfect way to provide your crew with the nourishment they need, especially on long days. We hope this shopping list helps you find everything you need!

When it’s time to shop for craft services supplies and other expendables, turn to Wits End. Wits End has cutlery, tables and chairs, sanitizing supplies, and many more craft service items available so your crew members can take a break and enjoy their meals. Plus, with a wide variety of other essential expendables, Wits End ensures you have everything you need to keep your crew safe and happy on set.

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