Running a Stall for Vegan Outreach

Running a stall

Running a stall is an excellent way to promote the benefits of being vegan for humans, other animals and the planet.  Inviting people to talk to you and ask questions can help to bring down barriers. 

Stalls can fit in all sorts of places – from a busy shopping street, to part of a festival.  Here are some ideas for making your stall effective:

In advance

Plan

What do you want people to do after visiting your stall?  Perhaps to take The Vegan Pledge, to come to a film evening, or to join your local group?  How can you help them to do this?  What leaflets do you need to order?  Do you want to give free food samples?  You will need to be able to show that you have considered and controlled food hygiene and health hazards (e.g. a HACCP report).  Choose ambient packaged foods (food that can be safely kept at room temperature) to limit the risks.  You may need Public liability insurance and so do check. 

Prepare

Ask specific people to help to set up, to run and to close up the stall.  Do you need permission to set up in your chosen spot?  Do you need to pay?  When do you all need to arrive so you have plenty of time to settle before starting?

Equip

Order Vegan Society leaflets and booklets at least two to three weeks in advance.  Approach companies even earlier to request sample foods.  Will you be provided with a suitable table, or do you need to supply one?  Make sure it is light, strong and easy to move (a ‘pasting’ table can work well).  A large tablecloth and display boards can help to make a stall more visually appealing.  The Vegan Society may be able to lend you materials.  For outside stalls, how will you cope with wind or rain, hold materials down (elastic bands, weights) and keep them dry?

Research

Read up – try to feel comfortable with the key facts about being vegan.  It can help to have prepared answers to common questions.  If you are stumped by a question, you can always ask the person to contact The Vegan Society directly.

Publicise

Consider talking to your local media – newspapers, radio, magazine or TV – they may wish to visit your stall for a short article, and the newspaper may be able to promote it.

On the day

Your frame of mind

Allow plenty of time, so you are relaxed when you start.  Being friendly, helpful and positive helps – people passing will pick up on your mood, and be more likely to approach you.  Visitors may never have heard of veganism, so you may get the same basic questions time and again.  Try to be fresh and positive with each one.  You may get people who seem to be awkward on purpose.  Try to stay calm, answer their questions honestly, and firmly thank them and encourage them to leave once you have finished.  Long, heated discussions will only discourage everyone.  Take time to regain your balance if necessary.

Decorate

Set up any displays to catch the eye as people approach.  Think about how to lay out your table.  Attractive food samples can be very appealing.  Try to cover the whole table with your tablecloth. 

Content

Be selective about the leaflets you put out – avoid a clutter which can overwhelm visitors.  Have a single sheet handout, such as the Why Vegan? leaflet that you can give away freely.  Also choose a selection of longer booklets for people with particular interests.  Direct people to our web site to find out more in their own time (at home, or their local library).

Presence

Being outgoing helps when running a stall.  Consider going in front of the stall to hand out leaflets directly – but without being pushy and overbearing.  Sitting behind the stall is unlikely to give the best impression.  Try to dress presentably, stand smartly, speak clearly and be positive.  Being vegan is a positive lifestyle decision after all!

Afterwards

What went well?  What would you do differently next time?  What are your next steps – do you need to follow up on any matters with anyone you met?  Do you have a longer term goal?

Questions?

Please see our Web site: www.vegansociety.com for more information, or contact The Vegan Society: info@vegansociety.com at any time, or 0121 523 1730 during office hours.