Women from the Naiyalayala district in Ra have initiated a trial project to provide pre-cooked meal packs for employees of FIJI Water. The district comprises five villages: Drauniivi, Togovere, Rabulu, Naseyani, and Nananu.
The FIJI Water Foundation is collaborating with Rise Beyond the Reef and Sera’s Gourmet to train groups of women from these villages in various aspects of food preparation. This training includes food safety practices, proper use of cooking equipment and utensils, and maintaining hygiene in food preparation areas.
Vasiti Ritova, a spokesperson for Naiyalayala, confirmed that the trial began last week. She mentioned that the FIJI Water Foundation representatives would return shortly to discuss future plans. The cost for each food pack is $7, and currently, around 30 packs are prepared daily for the day shift employees at FIJI Water.
Following the preparation in community hall kitchens, two women from local women’s organizations are tasked with ensuring timely delivery of the food packs alongside FIJI Water Foundation officials.
Ritova, hailing from Nananu Village, founded the Nananu Women’s Cooperative to empower women economically through value-added activities.