ABSTRACT
This chapter presents some of the main findings of the reconnaissance survey designed to examine the overall nature and scale of the informal sector in Trinidad. Following the need to gain knowledge on the nationwide operation of informality in Trinidad, as noted in chapter 1 a basic survey was devised to identify important informal occupations, and determine the characteristics of their operators. The aim was to carry out a brief, but extensive survey which would also highlight those activities justifying further examination, and to focus on issues of ethnicity, gender and spatial location. The results of the reconnaissance survey identified two important areas of informal activity, the informal food distribution system and non-food petty commodity production, retailing and associated services. This chapter investigates the findings of the survey in relation to the internal food distribution system in Trinidad, whilst chapter 6 examines the role of petty commodity production.
