Belvedere Greengrocer offers a convenient way to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables

Oct 30, 2022 News

By Malisa Playter-Harry

Kaieteur News – With farming and agriculture being integrated more into society as a supplemental way of earning a living, increasingly there are new farmers and vendors popping up all across the county of Region Six. Traditionally, in the ancient county, heading out for the Friday, Saturday, and Sunday market visits is considered a routine. People would flock to the Port Mourant and Rose Hall markets to purchase their weekly supply of fruits, vegetables, meat, and fish.

The Grocer and his customer, Fazia

Rarely one would see a roadside vendor supplying such during the week or daily. Zalim Mohamed, 28 of Belvedere Village, Corentyne, Berbice is among the few vendors that are now selling fresh vegetables, fruits and refreshing coconut water from Sunday to Friday along the Belvedere public (obliquely opposite the Anamayah Hospital).

Mohamed who also has other jobs in which he earns an income, said he enjoys and loves selling. He began selling vegetables like eggplants, bora, okra, sweet pepper, hot pepper, cabbage, carrots, squash, pineapple, watermelon, ground provision, lime, lemons and more just about a year ago, he quickly added coconuts to the line of items to be sold. People are given the option to buy fresh and chilled bottled coconut water daily, quite the thirst quencher on hot days.

Mohamed explained that not all the greens and fruits sold are grown by him but said that he buys them from his friends and sells them.

“Some of them I grow like banana, tomato, pepper and so.”

The large bunches of coconuts that are usually sold out at the end of the day

But what really drove this father of two into the business of growing, buying and selling fruits and vegetables? The answer was simple for him, “it seemed like it is something that people are not doing much around the area and as I got into it and I saw how nice it was financially, I began to like it more.” He believes that instead of working for other people, it is better to work for himself.

Mohamed said he attracts all kinds of customers, but more from the working class who after finishing work in the afternoon and are heading home, will stop to buy a few chosen vegetables or fruits to cook the next day or for a few days.

“Normally, I get like people in business, people who work, ordinary villagers,” this he said is convenient for everyone. He operates the stall from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm (Monday-Friday) and on Sundays, he operates it from 8:00 am to 12:00 noon. He added that it wasn’t hard for him to secure the spot where he sells and noted that he went through all the legal processes to do so.

Speaking briefly about his coconut water business, Mohamed said that it has been doing well since it started about six months ago and said that he has several farms where he sources the coconuts from to meet the demands of hydrating liquid and consumed by hundreds daily. He added that there are two workers that assist him in acquiring the coconuts.

Mohamed’s humble greens and fruits stall

“I use sealed bottles because it is more decent for customers, I have the 1 litre and the half litre and I have it straight from the coconut and everything is sealed and clean.” Mohamed’s coconut water usually sells for $260 and $500 and added that he sells approximately 50-60 bottles a day.

The vendor said he is grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the community by providing a much needed service. He sees himself expanding in the near future and expressed his gratitude to the regular and new customers who purchase from him.