UAE Food Bank Launches Ramadan Initiative to Combat 60% Food Waste in Dubai

In 2024, the UAE faces a significant food waste challenge, with an estimated 3.27 million tons discarded annually, Arab News reported. In Dubai, 38% of prepared food is wasted daily, increasing to 60% during Ramadan. To combat this, the UAE has set a target to reduce food waste by 50% by 2030, aligning with its food security strategy and UN Sustainable Development Goals.

This Ramadan, the UAE Food Bank, in collaboration with Deliveroo, aims to collect 500 tons of surplus food from supermarkets, hotels, and restaurants. General Manager Issa Hassan emphasized the importance of this initiative, noting that the collected food will support families in need, particularly laborers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The National Food Loss and Waste Initiative, known as Ne’ma, is also actively involved, leading community food drives and placing fridges in high-demand areas. Efforts have already resulted in a 62% decrease in food waste in the hospitality sector through behavioral changes.