UAE To Rescue Over 300,000 Tonnes Of Surplus Food For Family Iftar Boxes This Ramadan

2026-02-23 02:18:33

(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) Surplus fresh produce and non-perishable food will be collected from farms, retailers, and distributors to support over 10,000 low-income families

PUBLISHED: Mon 23 Feb 2026, 3:12 PM

By:
Haneen Dajani

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The UAE is aiming to redistribute more than 300,000 tonnes of surplus food during Ramadan 2026, marking a 50 per cent increase compared to last year, as part of a nationwide drive to support over 10,000 low-income families.

The expanded effort will be led by ne'ma, the National Food Loss and Waste Initiative, which will run coordinated food rescue and redistribution activities across Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Al Ain, Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah during the holy month.

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The programme, delivered through ne'ma's Valuing Our Roots campaign, will collect surplus fresh produce and non-perishable food from farms, retailers, and distributors. The food will then be redistributed through Family Iftar Boxes to households in need.

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According to ne'ma, the Ramadan 2026 operation represents its largest geographic and operational rollout to date, bringing together government entities, charities and private-sector partners to scale up surplus food recovery across the value chain.

Khuloud Hassan Al Nuwais, chief sustainability officer of Emirates Foundation and Secretary-General of ne'ma's steering committee, said the Ramadan programme reflects growing coordination among partners to redirect edible surplus food to families rather than landfill.

The campaign involves more than 20 food companies and retailers, with long-term contributors including Silal, Majid Al Futtaim Group and Agthia Group supplying fresh produce and packaged food for redistribution.

Silal said it will continue providing high-quality produce that does not meet retail specifications but remains safe and nutritious, helping expand surplus recovery volumes during the peak Ramadan period.

More than 50 packing and distribution activities are scheduled during the month, with volunteers assembling food boxes at seven central hubs, including locations in Abu Dhabi and Expo City Dubai. Thousands of volunteers - including corporate teams and families - are expected to take part.

The Ramadan 2026 campaign forms part of broader national efforts to halve food loss and waste by 2030, in line with the UAE Food Security Strategy 2051 and the country's commitment to UN Sustainable Development Goal 12.3.