The Saturday morning Samoa Women Association of Growers (SWAG) market is providing a great opportunity for local entrepreneurs.

The market stalls are held at the STA Fale Samoa, offering customers a variety of products including plants and food. 

The stalls are manned by the SWAG membership with the ones opened last Saturday visited by the Samoa Observer showing handicraft, plants and food including local delicacies on sale.

One of the stall owners, Sen Sahai – who was selling home cooked chicken curry, roti and pineapple juice with his wife – told the Samoa Observer that they are looking forward to the Christmas period. 

"Business is getting better but I think that since Christmas season is coming around it's going to get even better and it's usually like that generally and it's starting to pick up now," said Mr. Sahai. 

Asked how his stall was doing, Mr. Sahai said they haven't really made much, though his wife generates about $200 tala profit when they have a stall at their Saturday SWAG market day.

"For us, not really a big change because most of our customers are local so there's not that much of a difference," he said. "We are very happy with how business is and we don't have to worry about everything because everything we do is faith-based.

"My wife and I believe that God has got us and all we have to do is work and remain faithful with our tithe and offering giving"

Another stall owner at the Saturday market, Nusi Mauala, was selling his own version of Koko Samoa which was a special twist of spice and everything nice giving customers more flavor.

"I add some spice to it like cinnamon, locally produced cinnamon, vanilla from Vaoala and nutmeg which is ordered from Fiji," said Mr. Mauala.

The entrepreneur said he draws inspiration from foreign countries whose people like the Arabs, Asians and Latin Americans use a lot of spice in their food preparation.

He said that spice has so many health benefits that Samoans should be tapping into and hopes that his Koko Samoa brand will inspire many to do so.

"Business is good, I make on average $600 tala a week from my local customers and from the Saturday SWAG Market I pickup up a few hundred or maybe two hundred profit."

The border closure during the COVID-19 pandemic did not impact his business, according to Mr. Mauala, as he has customers ordering from Pago pago, American Samoa and he is happy with the way things are and is looking forward to the holiday season when business is expected to thrive.