Abstract
FVW has become a major sustainability concern due to rapid urbanization and rising
demand for fresh produce in LMIC. This study investigates FVW governance by assessing
awareness levels and FVW management practices among formal and informal fruit
and vegetable retailers in Region F of the COJMM. Quantitative, descriptive design was
employed. Data were collected using questionnaires that assessed demographic details,
awareness of FVW, and current FVW management practices. The findings from 43 formal
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2026, 23, 456 https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph23040456
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2026, 23, 456 2 of 21
and 118 informal retailers revealed fragmented governance across the retail sectors. 54.2%
of informal retailers reported being unaware of municipal waste management by-laws, and
83.9% indicated that disposal was the only effective waste management method. Formal
retailers showed greater awareness of the impacts of poor FVW management (83.7% agreed
or strongly agreed), yet 65.1% still relied primarily on disposal practices. The findings show
limited awareness of municipal waste governance tools and reliance on disposal, with
minimal FVW valorization. Chi-square results showed that age, gender, and education
significantly influence awareness among informal retailers, while no significant differences
were found among formal retailers. The study concludes that unsustainable FVW management
is driven by structural governance limitations, highlighting the need for inclusive
approaches to improve urban FVW governance in LMIC.