Top tips from Wychwood Festival

5 June 2009

Mary from Birmingham Friends of the Earth recently helped out with the Food Chain stall at the Wychwood Festival. Here are her top tips for running Food Chain events:

1. The public seem very warm to the campaign. My opening lines were "Want to help with fixing the food chain?" - and a few people just said yes without hearing the issues. So it's definitely out there as an important issue.

2. I used the visuals on the card and on the stand a lot. I pointed to the different images on the card, explaining each stage of the food chain. With most people that was all they needed to know to sign the card.

I'd also throw in "and you get a free badge too".

3. Using the leaflets for people who want to take something away can be useful. But this should only be for those people who are really interested, and not handed out to everyone as it could act as a get out clause.

4. The visuals are great for children.

5. We've also done two stalls in Birmingham. I produced stickers with each animal on which were popular with children. If you want to do the same contact [email protected] for the image files.

When we did it in Balsall Heath farm open day, the pig stickers were still left at the end of the day so there is some religious sensitivity that we have to be aware of.

6. For windy and rainy days I've invested in see-through plastic boxes so the postcards are within reach but only one gets wet on the outside.

7. Some vegans and vegetarians were hesitant about signing. But by explaining that we'll never get the whole population to go vegan, but might make them think about their eating habits, some were quite happy to sign.

Some listened and considered but walked away, so you win some you lose others.

8. Farmers have been receptive to the campaign, but can be wary of what we are trying to do at first. When you describe it more in detail they are happy to support the campaign, but it's something worth being aware of.

One organic beef farmer signed the card but then later came back to make sure he was actually behind the campaign. But he was happy with our card when he read what he was signing up for.

9. I had more success when going around at quieter times, like between bands. Areas where people were sitting and chatting were good areas to move around.