Julia Vosataki, a familiar presence at the Suva Municipal Market for more than a decade, says her daily routine at the Women’s Centre has helped her keep both her household budget and health in check as she approaches her 74th birthday in July. In a new profile ahead of the Easter weekend, Vosataki shared concrete details of how she manages weekly spending, meal planning and the role the market plays in family life and community support.
Vosataki told The Fiji Times she spends between $50 and $80 most weeks on groceries and essentials, a mix of supermarket staples and fresh market produce. Tebara Supermarket, located next to the market, is her go-to for items such as coffee, milk, sugar, Milo, biscuits and toiletries, while fish and vegetables for the family’s traditional Sunday lunches are sourced from market vendors. Her proximity to both outlets, she said, makes it easy to shop after a full day’s work selling and engaging with customers.
Mindful shopping is central to Vosataki’s approach. She warned shoppers to resist the lure of promotions that encourage impulse buying, noting that specials can sometimes lead to spending on items households do not really need. “It’s easy to get carried away when you see specials or discounts, but shoppers need to be aware of what they are buying and stick to what they actually need,” she said, urging a focus on value rather than perceived savings.
Vosataki also emphasised that maintaining a balanced, active lifestyle has been crucial to her wellbeing. Spending most weekdays at the market keeps her physically active and gives her incentive to prepare healthy meals at home — practices she believes have made a significant difference as she grows older. She added that household members contribute to groceries and other needs, spreading the financial responsibility and ensuring family support.
With Easter approaching, Vosataki plans to lift her grocery spending to cater for family gatherings over the long weekend. She expects to buy more fish, chicken, sausages and other meats to ensure relatives enjoy the celebration; she is particularly looking forward to spending the holiday at home with her four grandchildren. The planned increase in spending echoes broader seasonal patterns seen across Suva, when vendors and shoppers adjust budgets to accommodate special occasions.
Vosataki is also an advocate for buying direct from local markets, arguing that market-bought food is fresher and healthier than processed alternatives and that purchasing from local stalls supports farmers and small vendors who depend on daily sales. As she prepares for another Easter at the market, she says she hopes to continue working while keeping active and healthy, offering shoppers one final piece of advice: take time when shopping, buy what you need and choose fresh food for the sake of health and family.
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