The UAE Food Bank has joined forces with the National Food Loss and Waste Initiative Ne'ma to launch two programs during Ramadan 2025 aimed at reducing food waste while supporting vulnerable communities. Dubai residents can now access surplus food through the "One Million Meals from Surplus Food" initiative and the new Ne'ma Community Fridges being placed across the city.
One Million Meals from Surplus Food
Now in its third consecutive year, this campaign targets the collection and redistribution of one million untouched surplus meals to people in need during Ramadan 2025. More than 75 hotel establishments operating under the supervision of Dubai's Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) will inventory surplus food and channel it to eligible community members.
Since the initiative launched in 2022, hotel participation has grown by 75%, and food waste has been reduced and redirected by 47% at participating properties. Over 400 hotel staff were trained in food waste management practices in 2024 alone, and last Ramadan the programme produced more than 46,000 kilograms of organic compost.
Food that cannot be consumed will be processed through the Reloop application by iCycle International, which converts unusable food products into oil and agricultural compost — supporting the UAE's sustainability and circular economy objectives.
Ne'ma Community Fridges Across Dubai
A network of Ne'ma Community Fridges will be installed at strategic locations throughout Dubai, stocked with fresh, ready-to-eat surplus meals from partner hotels. Three fridges are operational at Mall of the Emirates, according to Hussain Moosa, Director at Majid Al Futtaim.
The fridges give individuals and eligible groups direct, easy access to surplus food while maintaining strict food safety standards. The UAE Food Bank and Ne'ma will jointly oversee the safe collection and distribution of meals.
Leadership Support
Yousuf Lootah, CEO of Corporate Strategy and Performance at DET and Chair of the Environmental Sustainability Committee, noted that 56 hotel operations are participating, underlining the hospitality sector's role in advancing the Dubai Economic Agenda D33.
Khuloud Hassan Al Nowais, Chief Strategy and Sustainability Officer at Emirates Foundation and Secretary General of the Ne'ma Committee, said: "Our work with the UAE Food Bank is a vital step towards advancing our national objectives to reduce food waste."
Manal Bin Yaroof, head of the UAE Food Bank's executive team, described the partnership as reflecting "a long-term strategic vision for tackling food waste."
Aligned with UAE's Year of the Community 2025
Both initiatives sit within the UAE's Year of the Community 2025 framework, reinforcing Dubai's commitment to sustainability, food security, and community welfare. They also support the UAE's national target to halve food waste by 2030, in line with the country's food security strategy and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
