FIJI Water has expanded its workplace wellness program with the installation of free vending machines stocked with nutritious snacks and beverages at two company offices in Yaqara and Naikabula, a move that will give more than 400 employees daily access to healthier food and drink options.
The rollout, confirmed by company officials this week, is being positioned as a practical extension of FIJI Water’s broader employee wellbeing efforts supported by the FIJI Water Foundation. “This initiative builds on our existing wellness programs, which are supported by the FIJI Water Foundation, and reflects the company’s commitment to providing practical, everyday support that helps our employees make healthier choices both at work and at home,” said Damir Hlebec, FIJI Water’s Senior Vice President of Operations.
Human resources leaders say the new machines have been well received by staff. “It’s great to see employees embracing these healthier options as part of their daily routine, and this feedback reinforces the value of investing in programs that support employee wellbeing in meaningful and practical ways,” said Susie Waqanibaravi, Associate Vice President of Human Resources.
Beyond health benefits for employees, the vending program has been designed with a local economic angle. FIJI Water said selected products stocked in the machines were chosen to create income-generating opportunities for women’s cooperatives in Tikina Naiyalayala and for local farmers. Company representatives framed that link as an intentional part of the nutrition and community programs tied to the initiative, connecting workplace wellness with grassroots economic support.
The initiative follows a string of recent efforts across Fiji to boost local livelihoods and capacity-building for farmers and women producers. Training programs aimed at preparing farmers for new markets and community expos that showcased women’s handicrafts have demonstrated local supply-side potential, and FIJI Water’s vending scheme now offers a ready, daily market for selected local goods within company premises.
More than 400 staff across the two sites are now able to opt for the free vending choices as part of their workday, with the company saying the availability of convenient, nutritious options is intended to help employees adopt healthier habits over time. Company statements emphasized that the machines are one component in a suite of wellness supports provided to employees, rather than a standalone measure.
FIJI Water did not detail the full product list or whether the vending program will be expanded to other sites, but the company’s messaging on the rollout underscores dual aims: improving employee health and directing commercial opportunities toward community suppliers. Managers at the Yaqara and Naikabula offices have begun collecting staff feedback to assess the reception and inform any adjustments to product selection or potential future rollouts.