Friends help him shop
WITH a budget of $200, Vunivalu Siale mostly shops for biscuits, eggs, tuna, rice, flour, sugar, salt and toiletries.
The 20-year-old says when it comes to shopping, he prefers to take his friends with him.
“I usually throw in whatever I can inside the trolley but it’s good to have friends who help to keep me on track on what to buy and what not to buy,” he said.
“If you’re unsure about something, you could ask for their opinion. It’s also fun when you’re shopping with a group of people.”
His favourite supermarkets to shop at are RB Patel, NewWorld or MHCC and for fresh produce, he prefers to shop at the Suva Municipal Market.
“For me it’s always good to shop at more than one supermarket because I have more options plus it’s fitting for my budget,” said Mr Siale.
“The Suva Municipal Market is my go to place for fresh produce. There’s a wide range
Fiji is not too different from his island home but being here has helped him to be independent
of healthy produce to choose from and they’re very affordable. Buying from these market vendors are a good way to support local farmers and growers. Eating local foods seasonally is more nutrient as well.”
Mr Siale says Fiji is not too different from his island home but being here has helped him to be independent.
“Being a scholarship student and renting out can be a bit challenging especially since the impact of COVID-19,” he said.
“I miss my family back at home and some of the foods back at home. My only advice to young people — if you’re unsure about getting something, always get a second opinion.
Check each item carefully, read the labels and expiry dates at the back of each product.”