Food bank to distribute excess food to needy
A first-of-its kind initiative to reduce food waste and give surplus to the needy has been launched in Muscat.
Called Oman Food Bank (Daymah), it is a non-profit organisation based in Azaiba, Muscat.
Speaking to Muscat Daily, Jassim al Hashmi, director of Operations and Support Services Department at Oman Food Bank, said, “The idea started six years ago, but we got a licence in June 2021 to officially set up the food bank. The initiative got off the ground just a week before Ramadan this year.”
He informed that the organisation has a large number of volunteers and cars equipped with the necessary equipment to operate a food bank, including collection and preservation of food from different sources. “We deal with government and private entities that generate large amounts of food daily, including hotels, restaurants, commercial complexes, hypermarkets and wedding halls.”
According to Hashmi, the initiative aims to collect excess food and distribute it among needy families safely and hygienically. During Ramadan, 2,890 meals and 320 Ramadan baskets were distributed among the needy.
“The bank will encourage the culture of food preservation, reducing food waste and recycling surplus food. We also want to be prepared throughout the year to provide food aid to those affected by disasters when there are any.”
Of the challenges the organisation faces in day-to-day operations, Hashmi informed that verifying data and reaching eligible beneficiary families is a difficult task. “Also, ensuring the quality of surplus food to prevent food poisoning is a constant challenge.”
On society’s role in preventing wastage, Hashmi said, “We urge people to buy only the food needed to reduce waste, make children aware about food preservation, and cook food according to the needs of the family, rather than being extravagant.
“Spreading awareness on the significance of food banks in achieving food security needs a lot of work among community members.”
He is hopeful of Oman Food Bank’s role in reducing wastage in Oman. “The sultanate’s loss incurred annually in food wastage reached RO56mn, according to the latest statistics issued by be’ah.”
The data also indicates that the cost of municipal waste management is about RO100mn annually. Household food wastage in the sultanate was estimated to be 95kg per person per year in 2019.
“We want to establish branches of the bank in all governorates,” Hashmi added.
On Monday, Oman Food Bank signed a cooperation agreement with W Muscat Hotel to collect excess food from parties, conferences and events for distribution among the needy.
The sultanate’s loss incurred annually in food wastage reached RO56mn, according to the latest statistics issued by be’ah
Jassim al HasHmi