Latest: Suva market vendor and mother-of-four Mereani Ravuca says she is feeding her family of six on a weekly grocery budget of $200 to $250 while deliberately choosing healthy, home‑cooked meals over convenient but costly options. Faced with rising living costs, Ravuca says careful planning and a mix of supermarket and fresh‑market buying have been key to keeping her children well nourished without overspending.
Ravuca, who lives in Raiwaqa, told The Times she centres her supermarket shopping at Shop N Save in Nabua because of its affordability and proximity. “It’s nearby and the prices are reasonable. I don’t have to travel far, and that helps me manage my weekly budget better,” she said, noting that saving on transport allows for more frequent, smaller trips when necessary.
What gives Ravuca added flexibility is her long experience at Suva Municipal Market, where she has worked as a vendor for more than two decades. Being at the market daily, she said, means constant access to fresh fruits and vegetables that form the backbone of her household meals. “Because I’m at the market every day, I always have access to fresh vegetables. Our kitchen is always filled with green leafy vegetables,” she said, naming rourou, cabbage and spinach as staples.
Ravuca combines supermarket purchasing with market produce to balance cost, convenience and nutrition. She emphasised meal planning as central to her approach: before going to Shop N Save she prepares a shopping list to prevent impulse purchases. “If you don’t plan, you end up buying things you don’t really need and a list helps me stay focused,” she said, stressing that discipline at the trolley is as important as the choice of ingredients.
Her weekly menus typically lean on root crops and vegetables, supplemented with occasional proteins such as chicken or fish. Ravuca said keeping meals simple and consistent reduces waste and stretches every dollar: “You don’t need expensive food to eat healthy, just fresh, natural ingredients,” she said, adding that leafy greens are both affordable and packed with nutrients that support growing children.
Ravuca’s practical regimen—shopping nearby for value, tapping into fresh-market supplies, planning meals and sticking to a list—offers a low-cost model for households grappling with higher prices. She urged other shoppers to be vigilant about what they buy and to prioritise nutrition over convenience. “Feeding my family is not just about putting food on the table — it’s about nourishing them with care, intention and love,” she said, underscoring that mindful shopping can maintain healthy diets even within tight budgets.
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