The 'Sunshine City' is far from being the greenest part of Jamaica. In fact, it is an expansive area of concrete where many try their best to break up the monotony by maintaining or planting some foliage.

Against this background, the vendors' appeal for a proper market in Portmore is even more critical than their objective of increased sales would suggest.

As was reported in Saturday's STAR, the vendors are highly dissatisfied with the current conditions, including a poor site which sees many persons buying from those selling produce illegally on the streets as well as no bathroom facilities.

Indeed, it is incomprehensible that a market can exist without the basics of sanitary facilities, what with the direct handling of food which is routine in a market situation.

Unfortunately, there is no relief in sight as Mayor of Portmore Keith Hinds says he is in the process of sending a proposal to the Urban Development Corporation (UDC), which will in turn, give a costing on the project.

It would appear than many a season of planting, harvesting and selling will pass before a real market in Portmore comes to pass.

In the meantime, though, we suggest that a few very basic measures would ease the vendors' plight immensely. For one, a few portable toilets would alleviate the sanitary situation, which needs to be addressed post-haste. And the vendors who sell produce on the street should be encouraged to relocate.

After all, they who play by the rules should not get shafted.