UAE Food Bank and Ne’ma Partner to Reduce Food Waste and Support Communities

Post by: Elena Malik

Photo : Dubai Government Media Office

The UAE Food Bank has teamed up with the National Initiative to Reduce Food Loss and Waste, known as Ne’ma, to support people in need and protect the environment. Through this partnership, they have introduced two important initiatives that aim to manage extra food, reduce waste, and deliver meals to as many people as possible across the country. This effort is part of the UAE’s commitment to charity and helping others, especially during Ramadan 2025.

One Million Meals from Extra Food
The main part of this project is the "One Million Meals from Surplus Food" campaign. It aims to provide one million meals made from untouched extra food to people in need during Ramadan. This is the third year in a row that this initiative is taking place. It is part of the UAE’s larger plan to promote social care and protect the environment, especially with 2025 being named the "Year of the Community".

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To make this possible, the UAE Food Bank and Ne’ma will work with over 75 hotels to collect and distribute untouched surplus food. This food will be given to people in need across Dubai, with support from the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET).

The goal is to handle extra food safely and efficiently to reduce waste. The UAE Food Bank will collect food that is safe to eat and give it to those who need it. Food that is not fit for eating will be turned into oil and agricultural compost through the Reloop app by iCycle International. This step supports the environment and promotes the circular economy, where waste is reused instead of being thrown away.

Since this project started in 2022, it has grown significantly. The number of hotels taking part has increased by 75% between 2022 and 2024. During this time, food waste in some hotels has dropped by 47%.

Training and Waste Management
The project also focuses on improving food waste management. So far, they have:

Set up hundreds of bins at the source to collect and sort food waste.

Trained over 400 chefs and hotel staff in managing food waste properly.

Delivered a record number of untouched surplus meals to people in need.

During Ramadan 2024, the initiative successfully separated food waste and used it to create over 46,000 kg of organic compost.

Community Fridges in Dubai
As part of this partnership, the UAE Food Bank and Ne’ma are also setting up "Ne’ma Community Fridges" in key areas across Dubai. These fridges will be filled with untouched extra food from hotels, making it easier for individuals and families in need to access fresh meals.

The UAE Food Bank and Ne’ma will ensure that the food in these fridges is collected, stored, and distributed safely. This will help ensure that people in need have access to proper meals throughout Ramadan.

Voices from the Partnership
Khuloud Hassan Al Nowais, Chief Strategy and Sustainability Officer at Emirates Foundation and Secretary General of the Ne’ma Committee, said that this partnership with the UAE Food Bank is an important step in reducing food waste. She highlighted that using modern technology and new ideas helps strengthen social responsibility, combining food security with sustainability.

Manal Bin Yaroof, Head of the Executive Team at the UAE Food Bank, shared her thoughts on the partnership. She said they are proud to work with Ne’ma again to reduce food waste and help vulnerable people during Ramadan. She explained that this is not just about giving during Ramadan—it reflects a long-term plan to fight food waste in the UAE. With creative solutions and teamwork, they aim to deliver high-quality extra food to people in need, anytime and anywhere.

Yousuf Lootah, CEO of Corporate Strategy and Performance at the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), praised the hospitality sector’s role in this initiative. He explained that 56 hotels are involved, helping to support Dubai’s Economic Agenda D33 and its goal to become the best place in the world to live, work, and visit. This project also helps Dubai’s Sustainable Tourism Strategy, which encourages responsible consumption and giving back to the community.

Hussain Moosa, Mall Director at Mall of the Emirates under Majid Al Futtaim Properties, said that they are committed to empowering communities through sustainability. The mall is hosting three community fridges, making it easier for workers and people in need to access fresh meals. This effort not only provides food but also reduces waste.

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