Women from the Naiyalayala district in Ra began a trial last week to supply pre-cooked meal packs for employees of FIJI Water. The district is made up of 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 food preparation techniques, basic health guidelines, equipment use, and maintaining hygiene in cooking areas.
Vasiti Ritova, a representative from Naiyalayala, stated that the women are ready to meet the company’s requirements. “We started last week. We are currently in a trial phase, and representatives from the FIJI Water Foundation will return to discuss future plans. Each food pack costs just $7,” she explained.
Currently, the initiative provides about 30 meal packs daily for the day shift workers at FIJI Water. After preparing the food in community hall kitchens, two women are assigned by the women’s organization presidents to ensure timely delivery of the food packs along with FIJI Water Foundation officials.
Ritova, who hails from Nananu Village, has also established the Nananu Women’s Cooperative aimed at fostering economic empowerment through value-added activities among the women in her village.