Successful BAV table at Berkeley Farmers Market

May 18, 2005

Just wanted to give y'all an update on the BAV table at the Berkeley Farmers Market last Saturday, especially for those of you considering tabling in your own community. Go for it - it's fun!

....A few weeks before as part of the Compassionate Living series, Tammy and Chris gave a great training on tabling, which was very helpful because Paul Nolan and I had never tabled before and were rather nervous. So Saturday we set out with table, multitudinous flyers, and donation teapot in hand. The Berkeley Farmers Market lets non-profits set up between vendors for free, and we got a nice big space next to a raw foods vendor. We set everything out, tried to look friendly, and waited.....and the people came! Lots of passersby stopped to check out the literature, ask questions about our organization and vegetarianism, and pick up "I am not a Nugget" stickers. Several people said they were glad to learn about BAV because they recently moved to the Bay Area or had recently turned vegetarian/vegan, or were thinking of becoming vegetarian. At midday, Victor Tsou and Ann arrived to help us table. Their knowledge of animal

issues and their skill in talking with people resulted in several very interesting discussions. And their camaraderie and support made the whole experience more enjoyable. We got quite a few new sign-ups, and people even asked if our table would be there in future so they could check back with us.

I definitely encourage others to try tabling - it's not nearly as scary as I would have thought, and it's an opportunity to "learn while teaching" - and of course, a great way to reach people.

If anyone would like to help us table at the Berkeley Farmers Market in future, please contact me. I would like to make the table a regular feature (biweekly? monthly? weekly??)

Thanks,

Sara Jotoku