The UAE Food Bank has launched the ‘United in Giving’ initiative with the goal of providing seven million meals to those in need throughout Ramadan. The initiative is being carried out under the guidance of H.H. Sheikha Hind bint Maktoum bin Juma Al Maktoum, wife of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, and Supreme Chairperson of the UAE Food Bank.
This initiative, falling under the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, seeks to promote sustainable food management, reduce food wastage, and encourage community involvement in charitable efforts.
The campaign includes three main sub-initiatives: ‘Blessing Baskets’, which aims to distribute over 200,000 meals daily in the form of food donations, parcels, and surplus meals; ‘Zabeel Iftar’, which provides Iftar meals for over 3,000 workers; and ‘Surplus of Good’, an educational program designed to teach the community sustainable ways to repurpose surplus food.
Marwan Ahmed bin Ghalita, Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the UAE Food Bank, emphasized that the initiative reflects the UAE’s deeply rooted values of generosity and compassion. It calls on individuals, institutions, and philanthropists to contribute to the welfare of millions.
“Under the leadership of H.H. Sheikha Hind bint Maktoum bin Juma Al Maktoum, the UAE Food Bank remains committed to collecting, managing, and distributing surplus food to the widest possible number of beneficiaries worldwide,” he stated. “The initiative operates within a sustainable humanitarian framework that ensures the continuity of charitable efforts, alleviates suffering, and strengthens social solidarity. By minimising food waste and loss, the initiative also contributes to a positive environmental impact.”
Manal bin Yaroof, Head of the Executive Team at the UAE Food Bank, explained that meals for the ‘Blessing Baskets’ initiative will be collected through food donations and parcels from retail stores, food establishments, manufacturers, and suppliers, as well as surplus cooked and uncooked food from hotels, restaurants, and corporate donors. These efforts will be coordinated with charitable organisations and public and private sector partners to ensure food reaches those in need across the UAE.
The ‘Zabeel Iftar’ initiative will provide Iftar meals for over 3,000 workers, reflecting the UAE Food Bank’s commitment to social solidarity and acknowledging the contributions of the blue-collar workforce.
Additionally, the ‘Surplus of Good’ program, a collaboration with Fatafeat TV, will promote innovative and sustainable methods to repurpose surplus food. “As part of ‘Surplus of Good’, we are producing six episodes in five languages – Arabic, English, Amharic, Indonesian, and Urdu – featuring innovative recipes that transform surplus food into nutritious meals,” said Bin Yaroof.
“These episodes will be professionally produced, incorporating insights from chefs, volunteers, and individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds. By ensuring broad accessibility, we aim to maximise awareness and create a lasting impact in the global fight against food waste.”
To expand the initiative, the UAE Food Bank plans to sign 12 cooperation agreements and memoranda of understanding (MoUs) with government entities, private sector partners, humanitarian organizations, food institutions, hotels, and corporate contributors.
The initiative aligns with the UAE Food Bank’s 2023–2027 strategic plan, which focuses on launching humanitarian programs, reducing food wastage through collective action, and advancing national strategies. These efforts include collaborating with the Al Na’ma Initiative, engaging with various government bodies, supporting local farmers, and building partnerships with international and Arab food bank networks.-WAM
