Surplus food from weddings in Dubai will be passed on to people in need under a new memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the UAE Food Bank and the Community Development Authority (CDA) in Dubai. The MoU aims to reduce food waste through the CDA’s Dubai Weddings initiative, the Dubai Media Office announced on 26 October.
Key points
- Safe surplus food from weddings and events chosen by the CDA will be collected and redistributed.
- The food will go to eligible beneficiaries, in line with approved regulations and requirements.
- The MoU also covers joint awareness campaigns and involving volunteers.
- The partnership supports the Dubai Social Agenda 33.
How will the UAE Food Bank collect surplus wedding food?
Under the MoU, the two bodies will organise how surplus food is collected, received, transported and distributed. The food will come from weddings and events identified by the CDA, and only food that is safe to eat will be included. It will then go to beneficiaries in line with approved regulations and requirements.
The announcement does not give a start date, the number of weddings involved or how much food is expected to be collected.
What else does the MoU cover?
The two bodies will also run joint awareness campaigns and community programmes on reducing food waste and responsible consumption. Volunteers will be involved in related initiatives and events.
What did the two sides say?
Dr Ahmed Al Hashemi, CEO of the Social Regulation and Services Sector at the Community Development Authority in Dubai, said the partnership extends the humanitarian and community impact of the Dubai Weddings initiative beyond supporting family formation and stability, by directing surplus food to those in need. He said it reflects the spirit of solidarity in Dubai’s community and the importance of joining efforts so that support reaches those who deserve it.
Manal Obaid bin Yaroof, Head of the Executive Team at the UAE Food Bank, said the cooperation turns surplus food into an opportunity to give, by collecting, managing and redistributing it to people in need. She said it also encourages sustainable consumption, raises awareness of the value of food and supports volunteering.
How does this fit with Dubai’s wider goals?
The CDA says the partnership is part of its work to develop the Dubai Weddings initiative, and that it supports food security and the goals of the Dubai Social Agenda 33. The UAE Food Bank is one of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives and is managed by Dubai Municipality.
Cutting food waste is part of a wider push on sustainability across the country. Read more in our report on sustainable development in the UAE.
Main image: Illustrative image.
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