Supporting SMEs and communities
For Ripe, the goal is to continue supporting the local SME community during Ramadan, inspiring its growers, makers and bakers. “And we hope our customers and the community will also help to support the local SMEs during this time,” urged Balderstone. “We have so many wonderfully talented home-grown businesses under the Ripe umbrella, offering everything from fruits and vegetables and freshpressed juices to fish, meat, eggs, milk, freshly baked bread. There are tasty treats, superfoods, nut butter, jams, chutneys to cleaning products, beauty items and more. We not only stock them in our store but also include them in our home delivery options, therein supporting our local producers,” she states.
“This year we have followed the advice of the government given the current circumstances and decided to work with specialised charities who have sterilisation programmes in place to ensure everyone’s safety,” Balderstone added.
“Indeed, this year is different, because food can’t be donated individually; it has to be done in conjunction with government and legalised entities to ensure the highest level of hygiene and safety,” observed Latour. “Within this framework, we are doing everything possible to uphold the spirit of Ramadan.”
“We are also working increasingly with our local partners to support ‘Made in UAE’ items and bring these to our shelves,” he added.
“We are in continual touch within the communities we operate in to understand how we can best serve them and assist those in need during Ramadan,” Lack concluded. ■