AsureQuality Assessor volunteers to inspect fresh produce heading to Samoa

29th October 2009

Freud D’Souza, Senior Assessor at AsureQuality recently volunteered his time to inspect fresh produce going to tsunami victims in Samoa. 

AsureQuality runs a Volunteer Day Programme which enables employees to spend a work day volunteering at a charity of their choice.  Freud dedicated his day to helping the Produce Company inspect fruit and vegetables heading to a village in Samoa badly hit by the tsunami.

John Stokes, Sales Manager for the Produce Company, raised $1500 by approaching customers and suppliers for financial support, and used the money to purchase fresh produce for the Salani village people. 

“Salani Surf resort is the only local employer for the Salani village people, and was wiped out by the tsunami. Over 25 people from the village worked at the resort and have now lost their jobs and homes. John has done a great job raising funds to support the purchase and transport of food and other essentials for these victims, and I was only too pleased to volunteer my time to make sure the produce met exporting criteria,” said Freud.

500kg of fresh produce was inspected by AsureQuality to meet Samoa import conditions and was shipped via Air New Zealand at reduced shipping rates. Some of the money also went towards supplying tools, clothes and first aid kits to the Village.