MOVING to a new country comes with plenty of adjustments, from settling into a new home to finding the right places to shop.
For newly appointed Fiji Pearls head coach Michelle Parsons, one of those first discoveries has been Extra Supermarket in Flagstaff, where she found familiar brands, great value, and a shopping experience that reminded her of home.
Originally from Conifer Grove in Takanini, Auckland, Michelle recently relocated to Fiji to take up her role as Head Coach of the national netball team.
While her focus is on preparing the Fiji Pearls for future success, she has also been getting to know her new surroundings and that includes finding the perfect supermarket.
“I normally shop at Woolworths or New World in New Zealand, so I have been looking for a similar experience here in Suva,” Michelle said.
“Today I went shopping at Extra Supermarket and I really enjoyed the wide aisles, the layout was easy to navigate, and it stocked brands that I like.”
Michelle describes herself as a family-oriented person. She has been married to her husband, Graeme, for more than three decades.
“I am married to my best friend Graeme. We have been together for over 30-years and we have two children,” she said.
Back in New Zealand, the Parsons family leads a busy lifestyle balancing work, education and sport, while also caring for their much-loved German Shepherd.
Their weekly grocery bill generally ranges between NZ$600 ($F764.65) and NZ$700 ($F 892.09), making value for money an important part of every shopping trip.
“As a family of four, with a big German Shepherd dog, we would spend on average $600 to $700 a week,” Michelle explained.
“Here in Suva, I’ve spent approximately $200 per shop so far, which totals around $1,000 since I arrived.”
Health and nutrition have always been priorities in the Parsons household, especially with Michelle’s career in elite sport. She believes good food plays a major role in maintaining energy and wellbeing.
“As a family with busy lives filled with work, education and sport, we are very mindful of eating what we need to keep us thriving through the day,” she said.
“We make sure we have protein at all three meals, vegetables with at least two main meals, and fruit is always available.”
Of course, balance is equally important.
“We do enjoy treats,” she laughed. “Saturday is our treat day. During winter in New Zealand, I often make warm puddings using fruit as a base, but here in Fiji I’ve found yoghurt with berries or fresh watermelon as a lovely tropical substitute.
Although Michelle admits she was surprised by the cost of some groceries in Fiji, particularly fresh produce and meat, she was delighted by the bargains available at Extra Supermarket.
“Compared to New Zealand, I have been surprised at the cost of food, particularly fresh food and meat,” she said.
“But there were some fantastic deals at Extra that meant I could stock up on fresh broccoli and watermelon, as well as pantry staples like baked beans, tinned tomatoes and gluten-free pasta.
As someone who follows a gluten-free diet, Michelle was especially pleased to discover Extra’s dedicated gluten-free section.
“It was great to see a gluten-free area at Extra,” she said. “It’s wonderful knowing those options are available, and I also picked up yoghurt, Fiji Water and other everyday essentials.”
Her visit also uncovered products that support her active lifestyle.
“It was great to see those Extra stocks USL tape, which is really helpful for managing my knee injuries while I work out,” Michelle said.
“They also have excellent sports nutrition products like Musashi protein, pre-workout supplements and recovery drinks such as Up & Go and Athena Protein Water.
Like many families facing increasing living costs, Michelle says careful budgeting has become part of everyday life.
“We’re looking at alternative brands instead of sticking to our usual favourites,” she explained.
“We compare prices carefully and buy the best value. We’ve cut back on some treats, look for the best deals on chicken, fish and meat, and prepare dinners that are large enough to become lunch the next day. I also enjoy making sauces from scratch and I love baking.”
While she frequently visited local farmers’ markets in New Zealand, Michelle has yet to explore the Suva Municipal Market because of her demanding coaching schedule.
“I understand Saturday is the best day to visit, but that’s when I’m at netball all day,” she said. “When I do get the opportunity, I’ll definitely be looking for fresh green vegetables and fruit that I can prepare as healthy snacks.”
After her first visit, Michelle has no hesitation recommending Extra Supermarket to other shoppers.
“My advice is to shop the deals highlighted on the shelves because the savings are really worthwhile.
“Extra offers great choices for people with dietary needs, including gluten-free and lactose-free products, as well as an excellent range of sports nutrition and recovery products. My first shopping experience was a very positive one, and I’ll definitely be back.”
For Michelle Parsons, finding a supermarket that offers quality, variety and value has made settling into life in Fiji that little bit easier.
As she embarks on an exciting new chapter with the Fiji Pearls, Extra Supermarket has already become one place where she feels right at home.
