Hyperlocavore at a San Antonio Community Garden Fair

[Wayne Thomas]

Through some lucky accidents and with the help of local food activist Leslie Provence creator of the San Antonio Food Policy Innitiative I was given half a six foot table at a local community garden fair to tell people about Hyperlocavore. Word came about the half table on Friday night and the fair was on Sunday afternoon.

Liz M. sent me a jpg, a gif and an ai file of the logo and I used YouTube Downloader to download a copy of her introductory video. The video and an open source flv file player went onto a borrowed laptop. A $5 set of powered computer speakers made the video more more audible.

Scribus, an open source desktop publisher, was used to create pages which were printed out and attached to foam board. We happened to have some letter size photo paper so that was used, which made it look much more professional. One board was taped to the back of the laptop. Another was put on a disposable Elmer's desktop easel.

Scribus was used to make a simple sign up sheets. I wanted to get email addresses if possible to send invitations rather than just give people the website. The sheet assured people that the list would be shredded after the invitations were sent.

Some blank DIY Avery business card sheets were used to make cards which were given only to people who were interested but who were reluctant to give out their email address. Per Liz M the cards said Hyperlocavore.com not the full NING url.


We collected 47 email addresses and sent out invitations Sunday night. In the invitations and on the cards I asked people to also join the San Antonio Yardshare group that Denise for Peace of Eugene had started for us.

Everyone who signed up was intrigued and many were very enthusiastic.

One man and I talked for a minute or two before the potential of Hyperlocavore dawned on him. He now had an artificial shoulder and couldn't do the heavy work of gardening. But he still had the garden space which he had improved and perfected over many years. He also had knowledge and skill that he might be able to pass on to willing collaborators who he might be able to find through Hyperlocavore. It was beautiful to see the light go on in his eyes.

I had thought that the video would be the most important part of the display but the room was so loud few people really could make out it out. But, the moving picture and slightly audible sound did bring people in. It was mostly just the idea of Hyperlocavore that made people sign up.

By the way, in our town the name seems to be heard and read frequently as Hyper-LOCO-vore (extremely crazy eater), but even that didn't stop them from signing up.

[Leslie Provence]

Wayne, I had no idea how much work you went to. Your table looked great, and you made it look so easy. This movement is lucky to have you. I know how busy you are with green building education. Thanks too for the mention.

[LizM - Site Moderator]

.... I bet socal has the same issue - after all we both used to be Mexican! Yeah - some people love the name - others don't like it so much...THANK YOU!