UAE Food Bank: Hundreds of eateries, stores join initiative

Dubai - During its first five days agreements signed with 85 hospitality-sector entities, including hundreds of restaurants and over 100 supermarkets.

The initial strategic plan for the UAE Food Bank has been inspected by its Chairperson Shaikha Hind bint Maktoum bin Juma Al Maktoum.
The initial plan includes the bank's short-term goals, as well as its long-term vision of a fully integrated ecosystem to engage the public and private sector at both the local and regional levels. Hussain Nasser Lootah, Dubai Municipality Director General and Deputy-Chairman of the UAE Food Bank, met with its execution team, approving critical steps in the implementation of the Food Bank's goals.
During its first five days, the UAE Food Bank signed agreements with 85 hospitality-sector entities, including hundreds of restaurants and over 100 supermarkets. 
"The progress the UAE Food Bank has made in only a few days since its inception is remarkable," Shaikha Hind said. "Due to the sincere generosity and diligent commitment of many institutions, volunteers and philanthropists, we are confident that the UAE Food Bank will be the largest humanitarian initiative in the country, and the biggest food-aid initiative yet seen in the Muslim World."
"The UAE Food Bank will do more than distribute food to those in need," Shaikha Hind added.
"It will instill the humanitarian values of philanthropy and volunteerism in the hearts of the people, reinforcing the UAE's culture of giving, and strengthening the country's global position as one of the most humanitarian countries in the world."
His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, dedicated his Accession Day on January 4 to the launch of the UAE Food Bank under the umbrella of the UAE Year of Giving and the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives Foundation (MBRGI).
The Food Bank aims to optimise food usage and reduce food waste in the UAE, with the aim of helping Dubai become the first city in the region to achieve zero food waste. The bank's execution team will implement strict regulations for collecting, packing, storing and distributing food packages, in line with the highest international standards, to guarantee food safety and freshness.
"The UAE Food Bank has received tremendous support in the last few days from a large number of partners, including hotels and supermarkets, who were keen to take part in the initiative and contribute to the city's humanitarian spirit," Lootah said. In the meeting, headed by Lootah, the next executional steps were discussed, including building a facility at the Dubai Vegetable Market, to store excess food optimally. He also reviewed the committee, established in partnership with MBRGI and the Dubai Municipality, to supervise the UAE Food Bank from an operational and legal perspective.
The UAE Food Bank's first campaign will distribute 30,000 meal packages to those in need. The bank will also have 15 branches, in the UAE and outside, in the next few years, to provide emergency food aid and relief.
reporters@khaleejtimes.com

• Dubai