UAE Food Bank Distributes 8.2 Million Meals During Ramadan

Under the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, the UAE Food Bank achieved its goal of distributing 8.2 million meals during the Ramadan initiative: “The Bank of Goodness in the Month of Goodness.”

Aimed at reaching eight million meals for those in need, both locally and internationally, the campaign was implemented through five primary initiatives: Charity Fridge, My Home Without Waste, Meer Al Khair, Zabeel Iftar, and Recycle, Relife. These programs effectively managed surplus food while ensuring sustainability.

Millions Served

The initiative positively impacted around 7.3 million people, including approximately 1.368 million families and over 500,000 workers, supported by 6,645 dedicated volunteers.

Notably, partnerships with 215 donor organizations and businesses, along with the establishment of 12 new collaborations and 80 educational programs on food sustainability, were significant highlights.

Environmental Contributions

Through this initiative, 4.62 million surplus meals were diverted from landfills, resulting in a reduction of over 4.693 million kg of carbon emissions, which is akin to planting nearly 195,583 trees.

The Recycle, Relife program played a critical role, recovering 1.4 million kg of surplus food and converting 72,973 kg of non-edible food into compost for farmers.

Highlights of Major Initiatives

• Charity Fridge: Installation of 25 refrigerators in schools and communities, aiding 495,677 individuals.

• Meer Al Khair: Distribution of food parcels to 6.8 million recipients.

• Zabeel Iftar: Providing meals to 5,000 workers throughout Ramadan.

This campaign also made strides in collecting surplus food from 87 hotels, showing marked improvement compared to the prior year.

Awareness and Sustainability Efforts

Initiatives like My Home Without Waste were pivotal in educating individuals about reducing food waste and promoting responsible consumption practices among families and workers.

Looking Ahead

Officials emphasized that this campaign underscores the UAE’s dedication to humanitarian efforts, food security, and environmental stewardship, contributing to global endeavors in combating hunger and enhancing community engagement.

The UAE Food Bank is committed to expanding its partnerships and fostering volunteerism to create a sustainable framework for food surplus management and waste reduction.