How to run a popcorn stand at your school fete
Popcorn is the classic school fete stall for a reason: it is cheap to make, fast to sell, and the smell alone pulls a crowd from across the oval. If you are running the stall this year, here is the setup that keeps the line moving and the money tin full.
What you need
- A commercial popcorn machine — an 8oz kettle keeps up with steady queues; a 12oz handles the lunchtime rush without burning.
- Popping corn, coconut oil and a seasoning like Flavacol — together they cost only a few cents per serve.
- Cups or paper bags, scoops and a bin for shells.
Pricing that works
Most fete stalls sell a standard serve for $3–$5. A small serve costs well under 50 cents to make, so you keep a healthy margin even after the school takes its cut. Offering a "butter salt" and a "cheese" option for the same price is an easy upsell.
Running the stall
- Power first: machines draw real current, so check the outlet and lead early — not at 9am on fete day.
- One person pops, one person serves — the kettle keeps cooking while the server handles money.
- Keep a spare batch in a warming tray so the queue never waits on the popper.
Finish with a wipe-down while the kettle is still warm and it will be ready for the next event in ten minutes.