Fishmobile

This mobile fish shop which, if you believe what's written on its blue backdrop, offers "the best of the sea," reminds me of the bookmobile of my childhood in the US.

The Oasis of Freshness

Looking to buy some olives, nuts, seeds, taralli (for a photo and recipe click here) or lemons?
L'Oasi della Freschezza is the place to go! You can see many mobile vendors like this one around Molfetta. There are many who sell fruit and vegetables, some on the back of small trucks like this one, and others who set up a sort of semi-permanent business on the sidewalk or even in the center divider of the street. The legality of many of these vendors is an ongoing topic of discussion around town...as in, do these guys actually have a business license? And do we want to have vendors blocking our sidewalks and spilling out into the street at times?
I'd be willing to bet that this guy, Sergio Mutti, has his papers in order. He was quite happy to have his picture taken and give me his name and the name of his enterprise!

Fruit and Vegetables, 2

Anther place you can buy your fresh produce is from a street vendor. The reasons for prefering a vendor to a supermarket are basically price and convenience.

Prices are usually lower at a street vendor. This was actually an issue of contention discussed during the local mayoral campaign last spring. It is believed...one doesn't want to accuse...that perhaps some, and I'm not saying all, and I'm certainly not saying this guy here...but some of these vendors might not actually have a sales license... And if you don't have to pay all those taxes, why not pass the savings on to the consumer? Every good businessman knows that lower prices pull in customers.

As for convenience, if you live in the town center and you happen to live near one of these vendors, or pass by on your way home for lunch...well, there he is, waiting for you right there on the corner. No line to weigh things, no line at the checkout counter, no waiting for a sales receipt, he won't ask you to pay for your plastic bag...

I don't think that freshness or quality are an issue here. Sometimes these guys have produce that is locally grown, but no more or less than the supermarkets. You can see the bananas in the photo, and I can guarantee you that there are no banana plantations anywhere around here!

Just for your information, the building behind the vendor on the left is my older son's junior high. I shot this photo while waiting to pick him up after school. Every moment of the day offers a potential photo opportunity! :-)