Coconut vendors operating near the Castries Market are pushing back against social media allegations claiming some of them dilute bottled coconut water and engage in unsanitary practices.
Viral videos circulating online show alleged instances of vendors tampering with coconut water by adding water or drinking directly from bottles meant for sale. However, vendors at the Castries Market insist these clips misrepresent their operations and unfairly tarnish their reputation.
One vendor explained what he believes is a misunderstanding about the supposed dilution.
βMy take on the adding water is the fellas use the young coconuts instead of the mature ones so youβll not get the full flavour of the coconut, youβll get a watery taste. So itβs not basically adding water to coconut, [it] is using the younger ones,β he told St Lucia Times.Β
He encouraged customers to watch the preparation process in real time in the interest of transparency.
βWhen you buy coconut water, you have to make sure that the guys have coconuts around so you can get the real coconut,β he said. βWhen you come by the market, the whole process happens in front of you, we β¦ do nothing from home.β
The same vendor, in responding to a particularly troubling video showing a vendor drinking from a bottle before sealing it, condemned the act, saying the individual should be charged and was giving βeverybody (coconut vendors) a bad nameβ.Β
He also pointed out the lack of regulation in the industry and called for more oversight: βWe need licencesβ¦so you can [be certified] and [can] say, you are a coconut vendor, but [right now]Β anybody can just come and do their business.βΒ
Vending in Castries falls under the umbrella city council.
Another vendor expressed frustration over dishonest individuals harming the reputation of legitimate sellers.
βThe fellasβ¦ mixing water are just crooks and they not really professionalβ¦. Them fellas are frauds.β
He added that his team values quality and customer service, and they make sure everything is done properly. On the issue of the viral video of the drinking incident where hygiene is concerned, he was blunt: βAll that [is] unprofessionalβ¦that is not right.βΒ
Like others, he called for a union of coconut vendors.
I remember when Chas talked about seeing standards for those selling charcoal, black pudding, fresh meat by the road, fish etc and yβall went crazy and certain people with to boutique mentality made it political. Now you see the light and the need for regulation and basic standards. Lucians will fight against their own best interest if you can give them a little ro ro to bite on. Damn proud Lucian.
Letβs be honest most of you vendors will do anything for $$$$β¦β¦you are handling money with the same hand distributing straws and your practices are extremely unsanitary β¦you ALL will have to answer to GOD.
Most of these coconut vendors and their product is absolutely filthy. Do you know where they store these coconuts before they sell to you?
im not these coconut vendors friend,they are too greedy.all of a sudden some of them want to sell 1 jelly coconut for $3.00xcd.only recently they raise the price to $2.50xcd and now $3.00. i really want to know the justification for that raise. these guys too too greedy.