(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) To mark World Food Day, Dubai Municipality distributed 8,000 meals to labourers and people in need.
As part of the UAE Food bank initiative that aims to reduce waste while feeding those in need, 15 inspectors from the municipality's Food Safety Department distributed 8,000 meals across three labor accommodations in Al Quoz.
Workers lined up for chicken salona and rice prepared by a catering company and donated by a food establishment. Bobby Krishna, a food safety specialist at the municipality, said other workers were served turkey as well.
Mohammed Ali from Tarahum Charity Foundation helped distribute over 2,500 meals at Jiwin labour accommodation. He said the food bank, located in Al Quoz, helps feed about 800 workers a day. "We get bread, juices and pastries donated from the bank that serves sometimes 1,000 people a day," said Ali.
Workers and families in need receive packaged or canned food that face disposal as it nears expiry dates. The safety of the food is checked at the bank before giving it out to charities to be distributed.
"Markets sometimes dispose large amounts of chicken, meat or turkey as their shelf life is too short to be distributed in the markets. Customers only pick up the fresh products, which is why such food is disposed," said Krishna. He added that catering companies step in to turn these products into meals to be distributed.
The municipality opened its second food bank on Monday as part of World Food Day. Through the initiative, the civic body looks to join international efforts in ending hunger and open branches in the region to help disadvantaged communities affected by war or natural disasters.
Ram Chauhan from India was among the workers on site. Arriving in the UAE two months ago, he received curry, bread and vegetables from the bank. "It is very good to get hot food," he said.
His colleague Inder Kumar is a carpenter who arrived to UAE six months ago. He was served hot food, juices and bread. "I heard from other workers that the government is giving food," he said. "It was very delicious; I hope it happens every day." Kumar noted that he usually brings food from home, which runs cold while he's on duty. "It was refreshing to eat hot food," he said.
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