Stalls Under Stress: Harsh Realities of Selling Perishables on Thrissur Streets, Kerala

Street vending helps the city economy by allowing everyone to buy goods and it gives thousands of people a job. Both the steady business and what is sold by street vendors in Thrissur can be at risk due to special challenges they encounter. This research looks at the different hardships these vendors experience, for example, a shortage of refrigeration, dealing with bad weather, limited space for storing products and uncertain rules set by the cities. When basic infrastructure and sanitation are lacking, food decays rapidly which ends with financial losses and wasted food. Competition by organized businesses, unexpected changes in customers’ visits and increasing expenses add to the difficulty. From the interviews and by observing in the community, vendors endure obstacles to keep their families going and provide food to the community. The study points out that the government should introduce mobile cold storage, allow legal vending spots and include financial literacy training, helping the informal sector. Resolving these issues supports food safety, decreases waste and helps people living on the edge. The objective is to describe the conditions of Thrissur’s perishable goods vendors, with suggestions on how to better support and improve their daily life and business environment.