THE debate over the takeover of wet markets by supermarkets does not take into account a particular group of customers who patronise wet markets as early as 6am.
They are the school and factory canteen operators and hawkers, and they have to complete their produce shopping before sunrise in order to head back to their canteens and stalls to cook and serve the food.
I am a regular customer of supermarkets, especially Sheng Siong, and I have found that though the opening time is supposed to be 7am, even at 7.30am, a variety of vegetables and fish is still not available.
What is available are leftovers from the previous day, including leafy greens that have turned yellow or black. I have tried to purchase a packet of spinach before but ended up throwing away almost half the packet.
Shoppers do not have the freedom to select their produce from different sellers as they do in the wet markets. Everything has been pre-packed and any defects show up only upon unpacking for cooking.
Once at 8am at the supermarket, I noticed the staff still clearing the fridge and goods just being unloaded. When I asked about the delay, I was told it was due to traffic congestion faced by its Malaysian delivery truck drivers.
If this happens once the wet markets are gone, wouldn’t it have an adverse effect on the hawkers and school canteen operators? I am really concerned that this could affect the quality and freshness of food being served to our children, teachers and workers who depend on these food operators for their daily meals.
What if some stall operators decide not to throw out the stale parts but cook the whole lot to save cost?
Hanishah Jaafar (Mdm)
Source : Straits Times – 15 Oct 2009
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