Vika Vataniyaragi Tadu Varuru, a 25-year-old contestant, is vying for the Miss Vodafone Festival of the Friendly North title, with the goal of fostering a positive community impact focused on achieving food security in Fiji for sustainable living. Sponsored by Northern Civil Service, the dietitian from Labasa Health Centre is one of nine competitors participating in the festival taking place at Subrail Park in Labasa this week.
Hailing from Nasinu Village in Cakaudrove, with maternal connections to Yavea in Vanuabalavu, Lau, Varuru is poised to share her message. “As a dietitian, I’ve been visiting schools and communities to conduct awareness and health talks, but addressing thousands of attendees from the stage will be a new experience,” she remarked.
Varuru aims to enhance awareness regarding food security and bring about meaningful change in local communities. She emphasized the importance of the topic, stating that many individuals in Fiji, including those in the North, face food insecurity. “Many do not have access to safe, nutritious, and sufficient food due to varying financial situations, resource shortages, market price fluctuations, climate change impacts on agriculture, and a heavy reliance on imported foods, often leading people to prioritize quantity over quality,” she explained.
To promote food security, Varuru advocates for sustainable agricultural practices, beginning at home with backyard gardens, growing personal food, and favoring locally produced products. She is also a twin and has a younger brother. Her mother teaches at Wairiki Kindergarten in Labasa, while her father is employed by the Water Authority of Fiji.