Ice cream vendors back on streets

ICE cream vendors are back on the streets selling following the lifting of lockdown restrictions.
Paradise Foods chief executive James Rice said the state of emergency had a negative impact on the distribution of its products, especially the vendors’ daily sales.
A vendor in Port Moresby, Wabsy Ipno, said it was good to be back on the street selling ice cream as it was his only form of income.
Ipno hoped to buy a new K500 trolley from Paradise Food’s Laga Industries to help him move around.
Laga Industries produces an average of 34,000 litres of ice-cream a day at its Lae factory.
“That is a combination of bulk ice cream, our classic flavours, stick lines and the ever famous T-Shake,” Rice said.
“From our Lae factory, we are able to supply the whole nation with quality 100 per cent PNG-made ice cream.”
Rice said one of biggest points of distribution was through SMEs and the informal sector.
“Ice cream sales for our trolley vendors came to a complete stop,” he said. “For them, the sales they make help them provide for their families and make a living.
“Thankfully, we’re getting back to our normal operations.
“It is great to see our vendors are now out and about to start generating some income again.”
He said in a day a Gala vendor can sell up to two 16-litre cartons of ice-cream.
This would generate sales of K200 at a K50 profit. “We are also trialing product expansion with our vendors to allow them to sell Queen Emma chocolate for additional income.
“Our trolley vendors are free to roam the city wherever they find people gathering.
“We have vendors around the major markets in Port Moresby including Gordon Market, Koki Fish Market, Koki Market, Waigani Market and 4-Mile Boroko.”