The women of Naiyalayala, Ra have initiated a trial program to provide pre-cooked meal packs for employees of FIJI Water. The Naiyalayala district encompasses five villages: Drauniivi, Togovere, Rabulu, Naseyani, and Nananu.
The FIJI Water Foundation has partnered with Rise Beyond the Reef and Sera’s Gourmet to train women from these villages in food preparation and cooking. This training includes hygiene practices, proper use of cooking equipment and utensils, and maintaining sanitary conditions in kitchens.
Vasiti Ritova, a spokesperson for the community, expressed confidence in the women’s readiness to meet the company’s needs. “We began the trial last week, and representatives from the FIJI Water Foundation will be returning to discuss future plans. Each food pack is priced at $7,” she stated.
Currently, around 30 meal packs are prepared each day specifically for the day shift employees at FIJI Water. After the food is packed in the community hall kitchens, two women, appointed by the leaders of their respective women’s organizations, accompany the FIJI Water Foundation officials to ensure timely delivery of the meals.
Ritova, a resident of Nananu Village, has also founded the Nananu Women’s Cooperative with local women to promote economic empowerment through value-added activities.