Social engagement and paid employment, that’s what Mixblik would like its work-based trainees to achieve. Women with a history of migration and facing poor prospects on the labour market create and sell delicious sustainably produced canned stews. Starting from today, their new canning factory on the Rochussenstraat in Rotterdam opened its doors.
Future vision
This social enterprise’s two-year work-based training programme provides migrant women on benefits an opportunity to develop professionally, build a network and participate fully in Dutch society.
They are involved in all aspects of the business: cooking, canning, marketing, managing and developing the dishes. They focus on motivation, inner strength, ownership, work competencies and networking, and offer training in hygiene, catering, PR, communication, administration and first aid.
Social and sustainable impact
Mixblik strives to connect and empower women, while also creating sustainable impact. For instance, they preserve surplus food, strengthen the local food chain by working with regional products, and use sustainable packaging material for cans. They are fully recyclable, light to transport and can also be stored outside the fridge.
A new factory
From today, the women started working in a new factory. While their previous premises were 20 m2, the new building is 200 m2. It’s an ideal place, located centrally (Rotterdam Coolhaven) and offering plenty of space for storage and training. Mixblik redesigned some of the shop floor to make production safer.
Mixblik enjoys support from the VriendenLoterij Fonds (FriendsLottery Fund), which is part of the DOEN Foundation.