UAE Food Bank And Ne'ma Join Forces To Provide One Million Surplus Meals

The UAE Food Bank has partnered with the National Food Loss and Waste Initiative, "Ne'ma," to support those in need and promote environmental sustainability. This initiative focuses on managing surplus food, reducing waste, and distributing food to as many people as possible across the country.

As part of charitable efforts during Ramadan, the initiative aims to provide one million meals to deserving communities using surplus food. Now in its third year, it supports the UAE's goal of promoting social and environmental responsibility, especially following the announcement of 2025 as the "Year of the Community."

The initiative works with over 75 hotels to collect and distribute untouched surplus food to those in need. It will be carried out in Dubai with the support of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism. The focus is on safely managing surplus food to reduce waste, WAM reported.

The UAE Food Bank will collect edible surplus food and distribute it to people across the country. Any food that cannot be consumed will be processed into oil and agricultural compost through the "Reloop" app by iCycle International Recycling.

This effort helps protect the environment and supports the idea of a circular economy.

"The cooperation between 'Ne'ma' and the UAE Food Bank is a key step towards unifying efforts to enhance resource sustainability and reduce food waste in society," said Khuloud Hassan Al Nowais, Chief Sustainability Officer at Emirates Foundation and Secretary General of the "Ne'ma" Committee.

"Through this partnership, we are working together on developing innovative, technology-supported solutions for distributing food safely and efficiently, reflecting our deep commitment to social responsibility, environmental protection, and the UAE's goal to significantly reduce food waste," she added.

Manal Bin Yaroof, Head of the Executive Team at the UAE Food Bank, said that this partnership is part of a long-term plan to tackle food waste sustainably and effectively.

The initiative aligns with the UAE Food Bank's mission to lead in surplus food management by collecting, preserving, and distributing food of high quality to those in need at any time and place.

She emphasized that the initiative reflects the values of generosity and giving that have been central to the Food Bank since its establishment.