Recently, the Da Nang Women’s Union and its chapters across the city have organised many organic food fairs in the locality. The intention is to help the Union’s members sell their products, and to raise awareness amongst local women about organic food.

A corner of the ‘Reliable Food’ fair at the Thuy Tu Market

The ‘Reliable Food’ fair at a corner of the Thuy Tu Market in Lien Chieu District is a typical example.

On sale at this fair are seafood and agricultural products which are raised, grown and caught by local women and their families.

To date, the fair has drawn a great deal of attention from women inside and outside the district. Thanks to this, the incomes and living conditions of local women have been enhanced significantly.

48-year-old Vo Thi Thuan from the district’s Hoa Hiep Bac Ward, a seller at the fair, noted that local residents have taken advantage of vacant land lots surrounding their houses to grow a variety of vegetables for sale. Therefore, all products on sale have clear origins, and meet the requirements of food hygiene and safety.

Living in the same ward, 50-year-old Dang Thi Thanh sells a wide range of fish which are freshly caught by her husband. She said happily that since selling fish at the fair, the income of her family has been increased remarkably.

According to Ms Duong Thi My Vinh, Vice Chairwoman of the Lien Chieu District Women’s Union, many women across the district, especially in the Nam O Village, often grow vegetables and raise chickens to serve their families. However, they cannot use up all their grown and raised products, so they together establish such fairs to sell them for those who demand.

Vice Chairwoman Vinh underlined that the such model was being deployed in Nam O, Thuy Tu and Hoa Khanh Nam markets. And it will be expanded into other markets across the city in the future.

A similar fair is taking place in Cam Le District’s Hoa Xuan Ward from 5.30am to 8.00am every day.

Ms Pham Thi Thu Hien, Chairwoman of the ward’s Women’s Union, said the majority of small traders at the fair are very poor. In the context of agricultural land shrinking due to urbanisation, they have taken advantage of vacant land lots near their houses to grow vegetables and fruits. Therefore, the fair becomes a venue where they can earn money to support themselves and their families.

In Hai Chau District, the opening of such fairs in Hoa Thuan Tay and Hoa Cuong Bac wards aims to raise awareness amongst local women about the use of organic food.

Chairwoman of the Hoa Thuan Tay Ward Women Union Nguyen Thi Kieu Linh said that the such fair was organised at the headquarters of the ward People’s Committee on the 5^th and 6^th days of every month.

In addition to organic vegetables planted by families, the fair offers agricultural products from the city-based companies specialising in organic vegetables and fruits.