Webster and online dictionaries define "Monger" as ..
1. A dealer or trader in a specific commodity. Often used in combination: an ironmonger.
2. A person promoting something undesirable or discreditable. Often used in combination: a scandalmonger; a warmonger, hatemonger.
Going with option #1 wouldn't providers be the actual mongers rather than the guys who are the buyers?
Who took the term and applied it to the hard legs?