IN an effort to develop the concept of the Pacific family, the University of the South Pacific launched a regional market day on Thursday.
Pacific Market day will be held on the last Thursday of every month with a variety of stalls set up near the old entrance to the USP's main Laucala Campus.
Home-made confectionary, local food delicacies, fresh fruits and vegetables were some of the major attractions.
In a statement, USP marketing and communications manager Annabel Boud said the Pacific Market Day was an initiative of the USP Campus Life Office.
"Students, staff and the community are able to sell food, goods and handicraft as a way of earning extra income," she said.
"It will also be used as a way to create awareness on the island countries that make up the USP community and help develop the concept of the Pacific family."
Suva market vendor Bobby Chand had a stall set up with local and imported fresh fruits.
He said the event attracted a lot of customers, especially students.
"It's a really good event and from morning, a lot of students have come to buy fruits," he said.
"The university has a lot of students and staff and this has made business good for us."
Another vendor, Mereani Brown, from New Town, was seen selling handicraft and floral arrangements at the event.
"My sister made the handicraft and floral arrangements with artificial flowers," she said. "This is a really good way of generating income and exposing local handicraft skills."
The Fiji National Blood Service also grabbed the opportunity to encourage the USP community to donate blood.