The onset of the COVID-19 global pandemic followed by a locally-enforced state of emergency (S.O.E.) lockdown measures led to the closure of many businesses.

Amongst them was the Tainalua Tu’umali’i mixed crop farming at Vaoala, which was also hit to lead to a slowdown in sales and gradually its shutdown.

The business-owner Tainalua Tu’umali’i told the Samoa Observer that it was their first time to experience a business slowdown.

“We started from selling fruits, vegetables and plants in a small shack beside the road but have a lot of customers daily, especially from hotels buying from us to prepare their different meals,” she said.

“Even though it was a small shack, we received $150 upwards a day but with the pandemic nowadays business is just slow.”

With the border closure last year, the crop farming eventually began to slow down leading to a drop in daily customers. 

And the family struggled to maintain their mixed crop farming because that was where their main income came from.

However, in order to survive as a business entity, the family extended the other side of their market shack to make room for a small restaurant for kids. 

They then sold $3 chicken and chips, sausage and chips and suafa’i, kokoesi and vaisalo using fruits that were not being sold the day before. Soon a lot of parents started stopping by in the morning to buy their children’s breakfast and lunch.

Ms Tu’umali’i told the Samoa Observer that Plan B of their business strategy came in handy, which was a small restaurant for kids.

“We only cater for kids and open in the morning for their breakfast and lunch, we don’t have enough supplies to cater for the public,” she said.

“But we are looking into expanding our restaurant and using our vegetables for our meals and fruits for smoothies.”

Nevertheless the family is grateful that they came up with a Plan B while living with the pandemic restrictions.

They have opened a small shack for their restaurant this month and now their family is receiving income from their children’s meals being sold.