Free Planning Tool
Family Reunion Food Calculator
Enter your guest count, meal type, and serving style to get a complete food quantity shopping list. Covers breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, and dessert.
Adults
Children (under 12)
Meals (select all that apply)
Style
Total Guests
65
Adults
50
Children
15
Style
BBQ / Cookout
These are estimates based on typical serving sizes. Always buy 10-15% extra as a safety buffer.
Food Planning Tips
Always buy 15% extra
People eat more at reunions than at home. Stress, excitement, and the fact that everything looks good on a buffet means everyone takes more. Better to have leftovers than an empty table.
Serve in stages
At a buffet, don't put all the food out at once. Keep a backup tray ready to replenish. This reduces waste and keeps food fresher, especially in warm weather.
Ice is almost always too low
A common mistake: not enough ice. Budget 1-1.5 lbs of ice per person for drinks, plus extra for food cooling. Buy bags the morning of the event.
Label everything
Mark dishes with ingredients, especially for common allergens (nuts, dairy, gluten). A simple tent card prevents problems and lets guests with restrictions eat safely.
Food Planning Questions
How much food do I need for a family reunion of 50 people?
For a BBQ-style lunch with 50 guests (40 adults, 10 children): plan for approximately 70 burger patties, 75 buns, 55 hot dogs, 65 chicken pieces, 12 lbs potato salad, 9 lbs coleslaw, 10 lbs baked beans, 60 ears of corn, and 125 drinks. Always add 15% buffer. Use the calculator above for your specific numbers.
How much food should I plan per person for a family reunion?
Plan for 1.5 burger patties per adult, 6-8oz protein per adult for a buffet or plated meal, and 1.5-2 drinks per person per meal period. Children eat about 60% of an adult portion. For a BBQ, estimate 3-4 different items per person (burger OR hot dog OR chicken, plus sides). Always buy 10-15% more than your calculated amount.
How much does food cost for a family reunion?
Food costs for a family reunion average $12-48 per person per meal depending on style. Potluck is cheapest ($5-12/person in supplies). BBQ buffet runs $20-35/person. Full catering with service runs $35-75/person. Over a full-day reunion with multiple meals, total food costs typically run $28-80 per person.
Track Your Full Budget in Reunly
Beyond food, Reunly tracks your complete reunion budget — venue, activities, apparel, and more — so you always know where every dollar is going.
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