ABU DHABI: The UAE Food Bank, in collaboration with the National Food Loss and Waste Initiative (Ne’ma), is set to distribute one million meals from surplus food to those in need this Ramadan. The initiative aims to curb food waste while promoting sustainability and social responsibility.
Now in its third consecutive year, the programme is aligned with the UAE’s vision to enhance community support and environmental responsibility, especially with 2025 declared as the “Year of the Community.”
Over 75 hotels across the UAE are joining forces to collect and distribute untouched surplus food to eligible groups. The initiative will be carried out in Dubai, in partnership with the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism.
The UAE Food Bank will ensure that edible surplus food is safely redistributed to beneficiaries, while inedible food will be converted into oil and agricultural compost through a collaboration with iCycle International Recycling’s “Reloop” app—reinforcing circular economy principles.
Khuloud Hassan Al Nowais, Secretary-General of Ne’ma, stated, “This partnership is a key step in reducing food waste and enhancing resource sustainability. We are developing tech-driven solutions to ensure food is safely distributed, reflecting our commitment to social responsibility and environmental protection.”
Manal Bin Yaroof, Head of the UAE Food Bank’s Executive Team, highlighted, “This long-term strategy is part of our mission to lead in sustainable food management—collecting, preserving, and delivering food to those in need while upholding the values of generosity and giving.”
By tackling food waste and aiding communities, this initiative strengthens the UAE’s commitment to zero food waste goals and sustainable resource management.
