Women from the Naiyalayala district in Ra have commenced a trial program to provide pre-cooked food packs for employees of FIJI Water. This district includes five villages: Drauniivi, Togovere, Rabulu, Naseyani, and Nananu.
The initiative is being supported by the FIJI Water Foundation, which is collaborating with Rise Beyond the Reef and Sera’s Gourmet to train local women in each village on food preparation, cooking techniques, basic health guidelines, and the proper use of cooking equipment and utensils, while maintaining hygiene in their cooking areas.
Vasiti Ritova, a spokesperson for Naiyalayala, shared that the women are eager to meet the company’s requirements. “We began our trial last week, and FIJI Water Foundation representatives will return to discuss future plans. Each food pack is priced at $7,” she stated.
Currently, about 30 food packs are prepared daily for the day shift workers at FIJI Water. After the cooking is done in community hall kitchens, two women designated by the leaders of various women’s organizations ensure the timely delivery of the packs.
“The women are committed to continue this initiative as the foundation develops further plans for us,” Ritova explained. A resident of Nananu Village, Ms. Ritova has also established the Nananu Women’s Cooperative to promote economic empowerment through value-added activities for women in her community.