An 84-year-old grower, Ian Tupe Takau Short, who lives alone and grows an organic plantation, is now trying street vending for a change.

Two months ago, Short bought a wheeled cart, attached it to his motorbike, and has been riding around the island selling his fruits and harvests.

“This is a trial run to be able to know whether it’s worth coming here or not, because I am a grower, I grow all sorts of food except vegetables,” said Short, who was based opposite CITC Supermarket in Avatiu yesterday.

Since he sells his produce and harvests to a few hotels around the island, Short initially planned to buy a vehicle to make it more convenient for himself. However, he decided to save money by buying a small cart to transport his produce to the hotels.

“One day I just passed by and I saw this thing here for sale, then I thought, well, because it is an experiment for me, why would I spend money on a $20,000 vehicle to bring my produce here when this thing is on sale,” Short explained.

“So this is just an experiment for me and I’m happy using this. It’s quite good because I bring everything into town on this every day.”

Short says his sales are between $80 and $100 per day. Working six days a week, he earns about $600.

“It’s better than sitting around home and then coming and doing things home like growing in a plantation and no one to sell. So that is why I’m here selling the produce this way.”

Short sells fruits such as papaya, banana, as well as nu (coconut) and more from his small cart.

He said this was his primary source of income, which put food on the table and helped him get by daily.

According to Raro Cars, Short purchased the 125CC Motorbikes with the sidecar attached. Raro Cars had imported six of these from Thailand which have proved to be very popular.