Three retired mothers on Rarotonga have turned to farming to not only make ends meet but also to promote healthy eating in their small paradise.

Plying their trade with smiles on the side of the road in Avatiu, their goal is to make ends meet while providing a cheaper option for people facing rising prices for vegetables and fruits at local supermarkets.

Fifty-eight-year-old Josephine Maoate, a mother of five, is among the group of women farmers who sell their harvests from Monday to Saturday opposite CITC Supermarket.

Maoate sells vegetables and fruits such as lettuce, cucumber, watermelon, pawpaw, mangoes and more, as well as eggs.

“We just want to help other people for what I think is cheaper. Cheaper for our local people, the community to come and buy from us, the veggies,” she said.

“And mostly promote healthy eating for the community. We are all farmers and for me, all these are from my farms.

“We’re retired from working, so this is what we’re doing. Enjoy ourselves selling. We have our husbands doing the planting and all that.”

Maoate can earn nearly $500 a day if she is able to sell most or all of her produce.

As the festive season draws near, Maoate advises the community to enjoy Christmas time with family but also to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

• Talaia Mika