GEORGE TOWN: When the day is done, Ramadan bazaar traders here would get into a friendly barter with other vendors, sampling each other’s delights.
More importantly, this long-held practice of theirs has cut down on food wastage.
From kuih and sweet drinks to savoury treats, the traders would swap their specialties before calling it a day.
They say the simple gesture not only allows them to taste each other’s cooking, but also helps avoid food wastage.
Muhamed Badrul Anam Sulaiman, 30, who sells nasi briyani, murtabak, fried chicken and other dishes, said it has become a tradition among stallholders to exchange food at the end of the day.
As evening comes and buka puasa time approaches, he said traders usually began lowering their prices if they still had plenty of food left.
“We offer discounts or sometimes a buy-one-free-one promotion to customers.”
And when it is time to pack up, he said the traders start swapping dishes with neighbouring stalls and also pass some food packs to a nearby surau.
“This way, we get to sample each other’s food while making sure nothing goes to waste,” he said.
Muhammad Faris Akmal Mohd Azmi, 27, who runs a stall selling fruit juices and other beverages, said he also lowers his prices as the bazaar winds down.
While each drink pack is sold for RM5 earlier in the day, he offers three for RM10 later in the evening.
“Otherwise, I would have to discard the drinks if they are not sold, but it would not be right to do this,” he said.
As such, he would share the drinks with fellow traders and nearby mosques.
In return, neighbouring vendors often offer him their food.
“Exchanging food and drinks is something we have been doing for years. It is our way of mingling and looking out for each other,” he said.
Trader Yusriza Abd Hamid, 53, affirmed that the practice has become a nightly routine.
Running several stalls selling local dishes, kuih and drinks, she begins setting aside food to give away by about 7pm.
“If I see someone buying for a big family, I would give them a discount and add a few extra pieces,” she said.
Yusriza also makes sure neighbouring traders have something to take home at the end of the day.
“We are all heading home to eat with our families, so it is nice to have a variety.
“I share my dishes and they offer me their noodles or other food. We never take money from each other because we are all here earning a living together.
“It has become part of our Ramadan bazaar culture – sampling each other’s food,” she said.
