By Ferjan Dubai, a community initiative that fosters communication and social cohesion across Dubai neighbourhoods, has announced its collaboration with the UAE Food Bank to reduce food waste and support the needy in the emirate. The initiative, which will start during the holy month of Ramadan, aims to collect, distribute and manage excess food from various sources, such as hotels, restaurants, supermarkets, markets and central kitchens.
Ferjan Dubai will help the UAE Food Bank to disseminate information about excess food across homes and communities in Dubai. The initiative will also promote the principles of community responsibility and volunteerism, as well as raise awareness about the importance of responsible food handling and efficient food utilisation.
The agreement between Ferjan Dubai and the UAE Food Bank was signed at the World Government Summit on February 14, 2024. The UAE Food Bank, which operates under the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI) umbrella, is a humanitarian organisation that provides food support to the disadvantaged and vulnerable in the UAE and abroad.
How the initiative works
According to the agreement, Ferjan Dubai will provide media support to the UAE Food Bank’s events and campaigns throughout Ramadan. It will also furnish informational content on the Food Bank’s initiatives, programmes and best practices to minimise food waste and enhance the efficient utilisation of food within households.
Ferjan Dubai will also enable the collection and distribution of surplus food from its network of partners and volunteers. The collected food will be processed and repacked at six locations – three in Dubai, one each in Ajman, Umm al Quwain and Ras Al Khaimah – before being delivered to the beneficiaries, such as needy families and workers’ accommodations.
Some of the surplus food will also be donated to various ‘Kindness Kitchens’, which in turn prepare daily hot iftar meals for the fasting population. Ferjan Dubai expects to distribute around 70,000 meals daily during Ramadan, in addition to grocery kits and fruit baskets.
The benefits of the initiative
The initiative is expected to have a positive impact on the society and the environment, as it will help to:
- Foster a humanitarian approach to nourishment by ensuring that surplus food reaches the people who need it the most, especially in times of crisis and hardship.
- Contribute to the promotion of the concepts of recycling and sustainability by reducing the amount of food waste that ends up in landfills, and thus lowering the carbon footprint associated with food waste.
- Reinforce the values of generosity and solidarity among the various segments of society, including youth, partners and volunteers, by encouraging them to participate in the initiative and share their excess food with others.
About Ferjan Dubai and UAE Food Bank
Ferjan Dubai is a community initiative that was launched in 2019 by the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) to promote communication and social cohesion across Dubai neighbourhoods. Ferjan Dubai connects thousands of residents through its online and social media platforms, as well as through various community activities, such as cultural events, workshops, sports and entertainment.
The UAE Food Bank is a humanitarian organisation that was launched in 2017 by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, as part of the MBRGI. The UAE Food Bank collects, distributes and manages excess food to reduce waste and support beneficiaries globally. The UAE Food Bank also participates in the ‘1 Billion Meals campaign’, the largest in the region that provides food support to the disadvantaged and vulnerable in 50 countries.