MAKKET SURVEY, JACKSONVILLE, FLA. 17 



whenever possible, inasmuch as in most cases they already are familiar 

 with the proper method of handling fish. It will suffice here to say 

 that the products should be kept refrigerated at all times in clean and 

 sanitary receptacles away from insects, and that retailers should not 

 be hesitant to discard fish that are not of the best quality. 



FISH PEDDLERS 



There were 34 peddlers or hawkers selling fishery products in the 

 city during 1927, the majority being negroes. They operate from 

 motor trucks and horse or hand drawn vehicles. A box containing 

 crushed ice is built on the body of each vehicle for holding the fish. 

 The cover of the box is of wood or framed glass. An elaborate display 

 case with glass top and sides is used by one peddler. Each vehicle is 

 equipped with weighing devices. In general, the usual type of ped- 

 dler's vehicle was none too attractive, although some appeared to be 

 clean and sanitary. 



It is the custom of peddlers to obtain enough fish for one day in the 

 early morning from wholesale firms or direct from fishermen who have 

 landed their fares at one of the central piers. Sometimes, however, 

 fish remain unsold at the end of the day and these are iced and held 

 over for sale on the following day. Several peddlers market the fish 

 remainmg unsold each day to individuals, restaurants, or retail fish 

 stores. Only a nominal profit is realized. However, many consider 

 this the best procedure, as it relieves them of providmg ice for proper 

 refrigeration of the fish during the night; it also makes it possible for 

 these peddlers to offer only the freshest stock to purchasers. The 

 majority of the peddlers canvass those sections of the city having 

 colored residents, although a few canvass those sections having white 

 residents. Mullet, croakers, and other species of inexpensive fish are 

 the most important varieties handled by peddlers. 



Various wholesale fish dealers in Jacksonville are of the opinion that 

 peddlers give fishery products a wider distribution; others, while they 

 agree with the foregoing, are of the opinion that peddlers' vehicles do 

 not, as a rule, appear sanitary and that marketing fishery products 

 from vehicles of this nature creates an unfavorable impression with 

 potential consumers. Some wholesalers contend that peddlers do not 

 keep their fish properly refrigerated while in the boxes on the vehicle 

 or from one day to another, and also that peddlers, as a rule, are 

 reluctant to discard fish not in strictly fresh condition. 



Various fish retailers say that peddlers hinder the sale of fish in 

 retail stores. Complaint is made by them that peddlers canvass the 

 neighborhoods in which their retail stores are located, and on Friday 

 and Saturday especially absorb a large portion of the trade that might 

 go to the retail stores. Some retailers, realizing this competitive 

 situation, have peddler vehicles of their own, which operate from the 

 retail store as a base of supplies and canvass the adjacent neighbor- 

 hood. Such operators hold the surplus fish remaining after each 

 day's canvass in ice chests at the retail store. 



If carried on in the proper manner, the practice of peddling fishery 

 products should prove profitable and also tend to increase the con- 

 sumption of these products. With mechanical refrigeration it is now 

 possible to hold fish under the proper cooling condition on moving 

 vehicles. The problem of keeping the vehicle clean and sanitary 

 rests with the individual. 



