Brian Jeffrey
Generous Vegetable Stall Gains Popularity
Short videos showcasing a small vegetable stall on the street with the sign ‘Ai can thi lay, ai du thi cho’ (take vegetable if you need it) have gone viral online.
This stall draws in various locals, including lottery sellers, scrap collectors, and bricklayers, who eagerly select vegetables for their meals.
Many of the visitors are regulars, like lottery vendors and motorbike taxi drivers, who often express their gratitude to the stall’s owners.
The stall was established by Tran Hai Au, 38, from the Ninh Kieu district in Can Tho City. Originally from Tien Giang, Au now resides in Can Tho with his family.
Inspired by his father, Tran Van Tay, Au’s ‘zero-dong vegetable stall’ started from growing fresh vegetables in their 100 sq m home garden meant for family use.
By utilizing effective farming techniques, Au’s garden thrives with an abundance of fresh produce.
“Since we grow more than we need, my father came up with the idea to share the excess with others,” Au shared.
“I thought it was a wonderful initiative and decided to create a stall for distributing these vegetables to those in need,” he elaborated.
The stall operates daily from 3 pm to 9 pm. Within a few days, Au welcomed many regular visitors, particularly the local lottery vendors.
Initially, these visitors were hesitant to take more than what was needed for a single meal.
“Approximately 15-20 people visit daily for vegetables,” Au noted. “I don’t limit what they can take; they are welcome to pick what they need.”
Most individuals, however, choose only what they require to minimize waste.
With the stall gaining recognition, Au now sees an increased influx of visitors, leading to a shortfall in available vegetables. To address this, Au has begun using part of his business earnings to purchase additional vegetables from a wholesale market, acquiring around 30-60 kilograms each day.
He ensures to source vegetables only from reputable farmers known for using minimal chemicals. Many small vendors are aware of Au’s charitable intent and are eager to collaborate, offering quality produce at fair prices, along with donations of items like cabbage, carrots, and potatoes.
Gardeners from the city also contribute their own harvests, while even some from other regions join in the effort, donating dry goods such as dried fish, sausages, eggs, and sauces. All these items are made available at Au’s stall for anyone in need.
Diverse offerings at Au’s stall now include a range of vegetables and fruits, enhancing choices for those looking to supplement their meals.
Lan, a 65-year-old lottery seller from Tan An market, expressed her gratitude: “The free food is a great help, especially with rising vegetable prices. I often visit to pick enough for my meals, allowing me to save money for medicine.”
Au and his father continue to cultivate their home garden, focusing on clean produce for both personal use and donation. Tay, Au’s father, plays a crucial role in nurturing crops without the use of chemicals, opting instead for organic practices.
In an interview, Au expressed his commitment to helping others whenever possible. “I have no intention of shutting down the stall. I’m here to support anyone in need. I distribute vegetables in exchange for joy and happiness,” he stated.
