The call to confront food waste

think a lot of UAE residents are feeling refreshed to start the year with the announcement about the project to tackle food waste for the Year of Giving. The UAE is making ground breaking moves and this great initiative will get people to think more about the food they throw away. We must be all united against food waste from farm to fork. It’s time to set and fully embrace the ambition for zero food wastage.

We live in a world of diminishing resources, but growing appetites. The call to confront food waste is everywhere. With millions across the globe struggling to have enough to eat, tonnes of food are being tossed in the garbage. Food waste is increasingly being seen as a serious environmental and economic issue. Despite many positive signs around the world that the standard of living is improving, joblessness, homelessness and food security remain a sad reality for those most vulnerable around us. We may experience agony when we see a small child, an old woman or man crying out of hunger and then see a wealthy person beside them throwing food away. It is an appropriate time to reflect on one of the world’s most terrible contradictions: Hunger and food waste.

His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has shown zeal and motive to solve this problem by mobilising the food industry’s supply chain, from producers and commercial sellers to consumers for this essential action.

We are all consumers and we are all a part of the problem, which means that we are also part of the solution.

We’re providing a lot of nourishing food to the Food Bank. The compassion and generosity of the UAE Rulers as well as the donors and volunteers will bring joy to the hearts of many.