Healthy Lifestyle Support team member, Linda Sossenheimer spent two weeks in Curitiba Brazil recently. She visited the local markets and felt inspired to share her experience with Green Prescription at Sport Northland. The vibrant and colourful market reminded her of our local Whangarei Growers Market in Northland.

In the heart of Curitiba, Brazil, local markets overflow with colour, culture, and vitality. Stalls brim with vibrant tropical fruits like mangoes, papayas, avocados, oranges, and bananas—each one a powerhouse of nutrients and flavour. Alongside the fruit stands, you'll find hearty, high-fibre beans and legumes, and baskets of Brazil’s famous pinhão—the Portuguese word for pine nuts—sourced from the native Araucaria tree.

These markets are more than just a place to shop—they’re a celebration of healthy living. Visiting a market naturally encourages three key behaviours that contribute to wellness:

• Nourishment through access to fresh, whole foods
• Movement as people walk through the stalls, exploring and shopping
• Connection with others in the community, sharing stories, recipes, and smiles

Curitiba’s markets demonstrate how everyday routines can support long-term health. The act of shopping becomes an opportunity for light exercise, social engagement, and conscious eating—a trio of behaviours proven to improve wellbeing.

Here in Whangārei, we too have the opportunity to embrace this lifestyle. Our local Saturday morning Whangarei Growers Market (Saturdays starting at 6:00 AM at 17 Water Street) and smaller community markets throughout the region bring people together in much the same way. Whether you're picking up fresh produce or simply enjoying the atmosphere, you're taking a step toward a healthier, more connected life.  

At Sport Northland we exist to enrich Northlander's lives by inspiring and enabling more movement and one of the ways we do this is through Green Prescription - supporting people on their journey.  If you would like some support with your activity or nutrition goals, give us a call on phone 0800 ACTIVE, we are here to help.

Article written by Linda Sossenheimer, Healthy Lifestyle Support