In order to provide a safer and hygienic alternative to people consuming food on the street, the National Association of Street Vendors of India (NASVI), in a first-of-its- kind initiative, has launched a catering service, which will be run and managed by street vendors. Interestingly, some international companies are also interested in investing in the initiative.
Arbind Singh, president, NASVI, explained, “The catering service which we have launched will be run and managed by street vendors. The street vendors will have to stand united if they want to be taken seriously. This new initiative will give street vendors an opportunity to expand their base. And through this the NASVI can also keep a check on the quality of food served and hygiene standards maintained by street vendors.”
Singh informed, “We want to improve the livelihood of street vendors. So in order to make them more organised, we are not only creating awareness among the street vendors but also giving them information about hygiene and cleanliness. Now, the street vendors are coming ahead themselves to ensure acceptable standards of food quality and hygiene. Instead of organising seminar, conferences and interactive session for street vendors, we are organising street food festival from last two years and getting huge attention.”
He added, “In 2011, when we first started the festival, many street food vendors participated and there were thousands of visitors. While in 2012, it was mega hit with double the number of street vendors’ and visitors’ participation. Meanwhile we also organised the street food festival in Patna and Hyderabad.”
He pointed out, “We, in association with civic bodies, FSSAI and other government officials, are planning to promote street food in 14 states of the country. If the street food vendors start following hygiene they will not only attract more customers but can also increase their earnings. NASVI will be going to start a campaign across the country from November 4 to get police out of extortion in order to protect the street food vendors from harassment.”
Singh further stated, “It is a compulsion for the street vendors and not a trend to be organised. We have been providing mass training to street vendors in Delhi as well as other states of the country so that they can be organised. We have peer leaders and our members across the country for follow-ups and to provide repeat training to the street vendors. Our groups are also working on minimising the issue of garbage disposal. Big companies from America and Korea are showing interest in investing in India and making street vendors as stakeholders. If the street vendors continuously follow safety and hygiene, we can start a food court in the city for street vendors and people should start having confidence in them. If everything goes well we can also beat the big chains and outlets.”
On a concluding note, another NASVI member, stated, “We have also started an initiative to check food safety in markets and for this peer leaders have been appointed in all important markets. This people will be ensuring that all the food vendors in the market adhere to norms. Our members have also put banners in the market providing all related information on food safety.”
Arbind Singh, president, NASVI, explained, “The catering service which we have launched will be run and managed by street vendors. The street vendors will have to stand united if they want to be taken seriously. This new initiative will give street vendors an opportunity to expand their base. And through this the NASVI can also keep a check on the quality of food served and hygiene standards maintained by street vendors.”
Singh informed, “We want to improve the livelihood of street vendors. So in order to make them more organised, we are not only creating awareness among the street vendors but also giving them information about hygiene and cleanliness. Now, the street vendors are coming ahead themselves to ensure acceptable standards of food quality and hygiene. Instead of organising seminar, conferences and interactive session for street vendors, we are organising street food festival from last two years and getting huge attention.”
He added, “In 2011, when we first started the festival, many street food vendors participated and there were thousands of visitors. While in 2012, it was mega hit with double the number of street vendors’ and visitors’ participation. Meanwhile we also organised the street food festival in Patna and Hyderabad.”
He pointed out, “We, in association with civic bodies, FSSAI and other government officials, are planning to promote street food in 14 states of the country. If the street food vendors start following hygiene they will not only attract more customers but can also increase their earnings. NASVI will be going to start a campaign across the country from November 4 to get police out of extortion in order to protect the street food vendors from harassment.”
Singh further stated, “It is a compulsion for the street vendors and not a trend to be organised. We have been providing mass training to street vendors in Delhi as well as other states of the country so that they can be organised. We have peer leaders and our members across the country for follow-ups and to provide repeat training to the street vendors. Our groups are also working on minimising the issue of garbage disposal. Big companies from America and Korea are showing interest in investing in India and making street vendors as stakeholders. If the street vendors continuously follow safety and hygiene, we can start a food court in the city for street vendors and people should start having confidence in them. If everything goes well we can also beat the big chains and outlets.”
On a concluding note, another NASVI member, stated, “We have also started an initiative to check food safety in markets and for this peer leaders have been appointed in all important markets. This people will be ensuring that all the food vendors in the market adhere to norms. Our members have also put banners in the market providing all related information on food safety.”
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