Sat Jul 05 00:30:00 UTC 2025: **Summary:**

The article profiles Vasanthi V., a 40-year-old spinach vendor in Chennai, India, who supports her family by selling fresh greens door-to-door in the Anna Nagar neighborhood. She faces challenges due to competition from supermarkets and the variable nature of daily sales. Despite the hardship of carrying heavy loads in the heat, she perseveres for her children’s well-being, hoping for a simple vegetable cart to ease her burden.

**News Article:**

**Chennai Spinach Vendor Battles Heat and Supermarkets to Support Family**

**CHENNAI, July 5, 2025** – In the bustling Anna Nagar West neighborhood of Chennai, Vasanthi V., a 40-year-old spinach vendor, faces the daily challenge of earning a living under the scorching July sun. Beginning her day at 4 a.m., she travels from Arani with a heavy basket of freshly harvested greens, relying on the loyalty of customers who prefer the quality of her produce over supermarket alternatives.

“If I do not walk through every street in this neighborhood with this spinach, my children would sleep hungry,” says Vasanthi, who has been selling spinach for a couple of years.

Vasanthi’s biggest challenge is the growing competition from supermarkets, which are drawing customers away from traditional vendors. Despite the difficulties, she earns around ₹500 on good days, but often faces unsold greens, leading to skipped lunches and reduced income.

Resident Shanthini, one of Vasanthi’s loyal customers, appreciates the freshness and direct-from-the-village quality of the greens she offers. “I mostly buy greens from her because I know they come fresh, directly from the village” says Ms. Shanthini.

When asked about her aspirations, Vasanthi expresses a simple desire: a vegetable cart. “If I had just one vegetable cart, that alone would ease half the struggle,” she explains, highlighting the immense physical strain of carrying the heavy basket on her head.

Vasanthi’s story underscores the resilience of daily wage earners in Chennai, who navigate hardship and competition to provide for their families. Her hope for a vegetable cart serves as a testament to the small improvements that can significantly impact the lives of those striving to make a living in India’s urban landscape.

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