Tavenisa and her canteen
THE life of Tavenisa Ratu is always about being on the go and keeping herself extra busy. If she's not looking after her canteen, then she's farming or fetching firewood with other women from her village.
Her daily chores keeps her physically fit. Mrs Ratu, 57, prefers to shop twice a week on Mondays and Saturdays at NewWorld, Yatu Lau Arcade in Suva.
"New World Downtown has amazing specials that I always look forward to," she said.
"They have a wide range of affordable items and products for my canteen and they're located close to the bus stand. It makes it really easy for me to carry my groceries from the supermarket to the bus stand."
TWICE a week, Tavenisa Ratu shops on two different budgets.
On Mondays, she shops with a budget of $200 and on Saturdays, $250 — mostly for her canteen business at her home in Navurevure, Naitasiri.
“I never do bulk shopping,” Mrs Ratu said. “I prefer to shop little by little for items and products I only need like sugar, rice, salt, tuna flakes, biscuits to name a few. “Other items in my list include toiletries such as bathing soap, toothpaste, washing powder, Janola and many more.
“What makes shopping easier for me are the staff at NewWorld Downtown.
“If I’m not sure where to get a few of my items from, they’re always kind enough to assist me with what I want and that saves my time and energy.”
Mrs Ratu says having a list also saves a lot of time.
“When you have everything you want or need written on a list, it makes it really easy for you,” she said.
“For someone like me, I like to go inside the supermarket, get whatever it is that’s on my list and I’m out.
“If I stay longer, I will end up buying other things that’s not on my list.
“For my family shopping, I don’t buy from the supermarket because the canteen has almost all the items I could get from the supermarket.
“I spend money on my own canteen so that the business keeps flowing and doesn’t operate at a loss.
“Having a canteen in my village is good business and I enjoy it because it helps me provide and support my family as well.”
Mrs Ratu believes the best way to tackle NCDs is to opt for green leafy foods like rourou, bele and ota.
“They’re healthy and good for your health,” she adds.
“Cut down on eating a lot of takeaways or fried foods.
“If you have a small piece of land just behind your home, go ahead and plant some vegetables,” she added.