VolunteerFilter: Snack Ideas for 6-10 people!

February 6, 2015 9:45 AM

It's the annual funding drive for our local campus/community radio station, and for a two hour window, I am in charge of snacks. OH NOES!

My shift is from 12-2 next Wednesday at CFRC. I am to bring enough food to keep the crew going until whomever comes after me. Anything portable and inventive and delicious for a group of people whose dietary needs I know nothing about?

Note: I am vegan, so I would prefer to keep suggestions at least vegetarian. I am not being given money to provide said snacks; this is coming out of my own pocket. Vegetarian seems to be okay with everyone. Also, this is on a college campus so if someone doesn't want veg, they are not too far from meaty foods.

posted by Kitteh to Food & Drink (10 answers total)

Best answer: I made Buffalo Cauliflower Bites for a superbowl party and they were snapped up by meat eaters and vegetarians alike. They were tasty at room temperature, although they did get a little soggy towards the end - I don't think I baked them long enough after applying the buffalo sauce.
posted by FreezBoy at 9:55 AM on February 6, 2015 [2 favorites]

Best answer: Pita, hummus, olives, veggie tray, assortment of nuts and dried fruits. That should hold people for a couple hours.
posted by fancyoats at 9:56 AM on February 6, 2015 [3 favorites]

Best answer: This curried orzo salad is always a huge hit wherever I bring it.

Cheese & crackers are a good standard snacky kind of thing.
posted by cooker girl at 9:56 AM on February 6, 2015

Best answer: Two hours isn't that big of a deal - snacks are easy. When you don't know about dietary needs, just go for variety and people will find something to eat.

If you're open to buying prepackaged things, just off the top of my head, and also depends on how many people you're trying to feed:

Costco has lots of prepared cheese plates and other "party" trays that are made fresh daily and easily consumed without need for cutlery.

Fruit snacks, prepackaged nuts/trailmix (trader joes has lots of individually wrapped packs with various nuts), Kashi bars tend to generally go over well.

Hummus with pita triangles are also nice.
posted by Karaage at 9:58 AM on February 6, 2015 [2 favorites]

Best answer: I think various dips and chips and veggies should work. Hummus, baba ganoush, etc. You can go Vegan and offer a gluten-free rice chip and you would be golden.
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 9:59 AM on February 6, 2015 [1 favorite]

Best answer: I make a version of these taco roll-ups, except I use one package of cream cheese, no sour cream, and substitute green chilies in a can for the green onions. No reason this recipe won't work as is, though!
posted by lyssabee at 10:31 AM on February 6, 2015

Are the snacks the only food available? Since 12-2 is lunchtime, you could do a crock pot full of chili and tortilla chips on the side, plus some fruit (maybe a few bags of clementines).
posted by chickenmagazine at 10:40 AM on February 6, 2015

Best answer: Having worked several college radio fundraiser shifts, I would say keep it light, simple, and not too messy. Chips and salsa or veggies and pita and hummus usually work well. Sometimes we get burritos, sandwiches, salads, or soups donated and they're usually a mess. Pizza works in groups OK.

Since it's only 2 hours I would say snacks (instead of proper food) are OK.
posted by kendrak at 11:47 AM on February 6, 2015

I love and agree with everyone who is suggesting protein-y things instead of just getting boxes of cookies and doughnuts. Much better for sustaining energy over the long haul.
posted by bink at 12:06 PM on February 6, 2015

Best answer: I'd go with a sweet option and a savory option, and keep everything vegan + include a gluten free option just to cover your bases. Even if people eat meat, it's not like they NEED meat during a 2 hour window.

Some ideas off the top of my head...

Savory:
chips + salsa
pita + hummus
cut up veggies like celery, carrots, snap peas + any type of dip at the store that looks good
If your dipper is gluten-y (like pita), grab 1 bag of a gluten free chip or cracker to supplement

Sweet:
Oreos
Bags of "Halloween"-type candy (i.e. fun size candy bars, Starburst, etc. etc.)
posted by rainbowbrite at 12:15 PM on February 6, 2015