Volunteer with The UAE Food Bank

The UAE Food Bank is a non-profit charitable organisation launched January 4th 2017 under the umbrella of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI). It is committed to distributing food to those in need while eliminating food waste by collaborating with local authorities, as well as local and international charities, to create a comprehensive ecosystem to efficiently store, package and distribute excess fresh food from hotels, restaurants and supermarkets. It is the first Food Bank in the United Arab Emirates.

Food wastage is discarded or uneaten food which is fit for human consumption. There are many causes, accidental or intentional, of food waste, which occur at various stages of the food supply chain: production, processing, retailing and consumption. The bulk of food waste in developed economies takes place in the distribution, retail and consumption stages of the supply chain. An alarming amount of food purchased by people in the UAE is surplus to their needs. The issue of eliminating food waste while simultaneously alleviating hunger is critical today, especially when considering that there are 200,000 children born every day in food-deprived households, and many more residing in rural and underprivileged areas.

How we work? 

• Cementing partnership agreements with stakeholders in the hospitality and food industries, including hotels, restaurants, supermarkets, and food factories and suppliers.
• Collecting excess fresh food, and packaging and storing it, in accordance with the highest standards of food hygiene and safety, under the supervision and approval of Dubai Municipality.
• Distributing meal packages to underprivileged people inside and outside the UAE in coordination with a network of local, regional and international humanitarian organisations.
• Opening UAE Food Bank branches in various strategic locations, including areas with many labourers.
• Providing an Instruction Guide, developed by Dubai Municipality, to partners and stakeholders clarifying the health and safety standards that need to be maintained.
• Developing awareness campaigns in order to engage more partners and inspire people to be part of the UAE Food Bank programmes and initiatives.
• Organising training courses for volunteers on food storing, packaging and distributing, in accordance with the set standards of the UAE Food Bank.

Contact

Email: uaefoodbank@dm.gov.ae

Phone: 042064261