In a smart move, the newly announced UAE Food Bank will collect surplus food from local hotels and restaurants and distribute it among the needy, thus aiding people and cutting food wastage at the same time.

The generous announcement by the government has received positive responses from everyone, with entities already starting to find ways to become a part of 2017’s first and biggest charitable activity.

The ‘UAE Food Bank’, launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai – in line with the ‘Year of Giving’ – has already gained appreciation and support from various sectors of society. Everyone wants to be a part of this noble cause and contribute in their capacity.

Food is the most basic human need, yet it remains a luxury for many. In a bid to fight hunger and food wastage, the UAE Food Bank will partner with hotels and restaurants to collect surplus food and distribute it to those in need. It is estimated that the UAE currently sees Dh13 billion of food wasted in a year. According to Laurent A. Voivenel, CEO of Hospitality Management Holdings (HMH), food wastage happens at every level of the food chain and the hotel industry is not an exception.

“In our hotels, we try to control food wastage. It ends up averaging between four and five per cent of the total food prepared. I believe this (Food Bank) is a wonderful and excellent initiative to give back to the community and greatly help people in need. We will contact the concerned to ensure all necessary measures are taken to donate excess food to the food bank, in line with International Food Safety guidelines,” Voivenel said.

Yusuffali MA, Chairman of Lulu Group, thinks the UAE has always been and is at the forefront in helping needy people worldwide. “We have always supported the game-changing philanthropy projects launched by our visionary rulers. No doubt, this new project is going to be very novel as well as noble and is sure to bring good health and smiles to the lives of millions of underprivileged people.” It also marked the role of the private sector in promoting giving and engaging with community-based organisations, volunteers and individuals, Yusuffali noted.

Redha Mansouri, CEO of Fresh Fruits Company, expressed his happiness over the fact that the move would play a vital role in cutting down food wastage in the country, while ensuring food security for everyone. “This is all about encouraging donations and aiming zero waste; we hope to contribute in this fight against hunger,” he said.

Many private sector companies and other organisations gave their views on the innovative move.

Dar Al Ber Society, a charity organisation, pledged to support the UAE Food Bank, which is also a timely drive to ease troubles of disaster-hit people. Khalfan Khalifa Al Mazrouie, Chairman of the society, said: “Our 37-year-old society highly appreciates the new initiative and is fully geared up to chip in the promising scheme.” In 2016, the society distributed 1,55,387 meals amongst needy people.

Jamal Abdullah Lootah, CEO of Imdaad, said: “The programme is expected to play a complementing role to 2017 being named as the ‘Year of Giving,’ which demonstrates the virtues and values that make this nation great – giving, charity, social responsibility and generosity. Imdaad is pledging its full commitment towards the efforts of the UAE Food Bank – helping in their mandate to provide food for the needy and to also increase awareness on the UAE’s move to reduce food wastage.”

Habiba Al Marashi, chairperson of Emirates Environmental Group, said: “Food waste is one of the most avoidable forms of wastage. We live in high consumption, high wastage societies where food wastage is rampant. The practice of throwing away excess food is particularly visible during the month of Ramadan and during the festive season. Yet, the food waste stream can be leveraged by turning to composting and making for an effective and useful system of disposal.”

EP Moosa Haji, Chairman of Fathima Group, a UAE-based retail major, said: “We will ensure active participation in the initiative with the involvement of our key divisions – supermarkets, catering and bakery production – to collaborate with the local authorities. In order to reduce food wastage, we all have to do join this wonderful initiative, which will inspire people to sponsor a breakfast or lunch on different occasions like anniversaries, weddings, birthday parties, and other occasions. Such events witness large-scale production and wastage of food, with grand menus and exotic dishes being the order of the day. This extra food can always be passed on to the needy.”

Sameer K. Mohammed, MD of Jaleel Holdings, a regional major in foodstuff trading and FMCG distribution, pointed out: “Being the largest supplier in the UAE to the ‘meals away from home’ segment, we believe that we have a responsibility to reduce the wastage of food in this segment. We plan to work closely with restaurants, hotels and caterers in finding innovative ways to be a part of the UAE Food Bank project.”