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Food waste typically peaks during Ramadan in the UAE. Since many people don’t know what to do with their leftovers, they often end up in the trash. However, all excess food can be donated with just one click or a phone call.
UAE Food Bank encourages residents to use excess fresh food to feed those in need rather than throwing it away.
“Unfortunately, food waste is higher during Ramadan compared to other months. Residents can contribute surplus or food waste through several channels, which will be distributed to those who deserve it at home and abroad,” said Chairman of the Steering Committee of the UAE Food Bank Manal bint Yaarouf said.
UAE residents can donate by calling 8009999, emailing uaefoodbank@dm.gov.ae and contacting the bank through its social media channels.
“The call center number 8009999 is only used during Ramadan, but the email works all year round,” Manal said.
There is no limit to how much people can donate to food banks for excess or wasted food, she added.
ensure hygiene
“We are concentrating on large meals from hotels, restaurants and donations. We also encourage people to donate excess food. They can put it in the fridge in different mosques in Dubai City, but they need to make sure it complies with Dubai City’s safety instructions and guide.”
Manal said that in order to ensure food hygiene and food safety, the food safety department of Dubai Municipality conducts regular inspections on food.
“Dubai Municipality teams visit companies or food bank locations that donate food every day to check all food items to ensure people’s safety,” she added.
The bank’s mission is to plan, manage and deliver food surplus to local and global beneficiaries, and the bank works with a wide range of partners and volunteers who play their part in moving the food.
From 2017 to the end of 2022, UAE food banks have distributed more than 50 million meals. During Ramadan 2022, it distributed more than 2 million meals. The food is also shipped to the Philippines and Senegal in 2022.
2023 target
This year, the food was delivered to earthquake-stricken areas across Syria and Turkey before and during Ramadan, coordinated by the Emirates Red Crescent.
This Ramadan, Manal said, the bank aims to achieve more than 2 million food donations and more than 1 million surplus cooked meals in partnership with restaurants and hotels.
“That’s why we have arrangements with some private companies such as restaurants and hotels for leftover food. We will redistribute it to beneficiaries, but whatever is left we have contracts with three companies to take it back Reduce food waste. This is very helpful because it reduces the amount of food that goes into landfill,” Manal said.
Some of the hotels contributing to the UAE Food Bank include The Address, Millennium, Sofitel, Grand Hyatt, Al Habtoor and Hilton. The recycling partners are Reloop, Averda and Tadweer. Other partners are the Ministry of Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities, Dubai Police, Roads and Transport Authority, charities and Ne’ma, the UAE food loss and waste initiative.
In addition, merchants from food and vegetable markets also contributed to this charity event.
Copyright © 2022 Khaleej Times. all rights reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).
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