Students' patronage and views on the operations and services of food vendors

Abstract

Vendors of meals and snacks, granted the realities of the present changing economic and social lifestyles, will continue to feed large numbers of people despite the insanitary conditions under which most of them operate. This study sought to find out the degree of patronage of food sold by vendors, items purchased, reasons for patronizing, views and opinions on the services patronized. Two‐hundred and forty‐five students resident in five halls at the University of Ghana completed a self‐administered questionnaire each. Eighty‐six per cent purchased cooked meals and snacks regularly from vendors. Over two‐thirds consumed their meals at the selling sites. However, the services and facilities offered by vendors were judged as inadequate and poor. Nineteen per cent reported having suffered diarrhoea, stomach aches, indigestion and other gastrointestinal problems as a result of eating vendored foods. Three outstanding reasons emerged for the high patronage of vendored foods. They are food always being available (69%); food being cheaper (62%); and more variety to choose from (42%). These findings portray the great influence of money and time on consumer choice of food in our present harsh economic environment. Patrons indicated several unhealthy practices by vendors that pose health threats to patrons. These observations together with several recommendations made regarding the safe handling of food, water and the environment indicate consumers' awareness of the need for safe delivery of the food they consume. There is the urgent need therefore to organize and train vendors, pass a food law, supervise operations of vendors and also educate consumers to choose only safe food and water and insist on a clean food environment.

Food vending characteristics and students’ preferences for food vending services: a discrete choice experiment

“…It is estimated that globally, about 2.5 billion people patronise food vending services on a daily basis (FAO, 2007). In Africa, food vending services are springing up rapidly (Esiawonam, 2010;Johnson & Yawson, 2000;Marras & Ag Bendech, 2016;Nicolò & Ag Bendech, 2012), especially around campuses of tertiary institutions (Adam, Hiamey, & Afenyo, 2014;Opare-Obisaw, 1998). Since most tertiary students, both residential and non-residential, are usually responsible for feeding themselves, they often have to choose between cooking on their own or purchasing food from vendors.…”

Two essays on foreign direct investment and food security in Nigeria: A mixed methods approach.

“…While Tinker does not go as far as to say that street food vending is the root cause in rising illiteracy levels, she does point to the inability of street food vendors to access quality education due to their long work hours (Opare-Obisaw, 2007).…”

“…One implication is a high illiteracy rate amongst street food vendors in Nigeria (Opare-Obisaw, 2007). According to studies conducted in some Latin American and African countries, the average wage of an urban street food vendor is higher, sometimes as much as 3 or even 10 times higher than the average wage in rural areas.…”

“…The purchase and consumption of street food has become a welcome and convenient alternative to home cooking for many households as a result of the changing economic and social lifestyles (Opare-Obisaw, 2007). The popularity of street food is widespread due to its low cost and convenience.…”

“…Street food vendors in Nigeria are predominantly mature, married women with several children. These children have become active participants in street food vending (Walker, 1991;Opare-Obisaw, 2007). In the southern parts of Nigeria (this region accounts for the highest school enrollment),…”