Let's Talk About the Vendor's Lunch Break

Being a vendor at a show means a long day, filled with talking to people, making sales, and keeping your booth looking great. But let's be honest—we never really talk about how vendors actually eat during the day. It’s a real challenge, especially when you're working solo.

I'm lucky that my husband comes with me. He’s a rockstar at helping sell and ring people up, which means I get a break. But when doing shows alone, you rely on a booth sitter. This person watches your booth for a bit so you can run to the restroom or, even better, grab some food. It’s a lifesaver.

The Cooler is Your Best Friend

Eating out for every meal gets expensive, fast! A 12-hour day for two people means a lot of meals and snacks. To keep costs down, we always pack a cooler. We load it up with drinks like water and Gatorade to stay hydrated, along with plenty of snacks to munch on.

For breakfast, it's all about convenience. I'll bring some microwaveable breakfast sandwiches or just grab a granola bar to get the day started. My favorite go-to snack is an applesauce pouch. It’s easy to eat, and you don’t have to worry about a mess. For other snacks like grapes, I even use one of those little corn cob holders to pick them up so my hands stay clean.

The Secret to Reheating and Washing Up

We usually treat ourselves to something from the show maybe a treat or an add on to our lunch, but for dinner, we bring a pre-made meal from home. After a long day, the last thing I want to do is cook or go out to a restaurant. We just want to get back, eat, shower, and go to bed because we have to do it all over again the next day.

And speaking of keeping clean—this is my number one hack. Money is gross. People put cash everywhere, and it can be a nightmare to handle. So before I eat anything, I wash my hands. Since the handwashing stations can be far away, I bring my own. I have an old, labeled water bottle filled with blue soap and water. I keep it separate from the drinks, and it makes washing up behind the tent a breeze!

It's all about being prepared so you can focus on the show.