The UAE has launched a major public awareness drive to tackle food waste, with businesses at the heart of efforts to forge a more sustainable future.
The nationwide campaign, called Valuing Our Roots, is the latest step in a long-term strategy to encourage more responsible production and consumption of food, from restaurants to households.
It is being led by the national food loss and waste initiative, Ne'ma, in partnership with Abu Dhabi-based investment and holding company ADQ and waste management company Tadweer.
The UAE aims to halve food waste by 2030. Ne'ma estimates Dh6 billion ($1.63 billion) of food is wasted in the Emirates annually.
“This campaign represents a strategic step towards a comprehensive transformation in societal behaviours, as Ne’ma leads the charge in reawakening a sense of responsibility toward food preservation, grounded in the wisdom of our traditions,” said Mariam Al Mheiri, head of the Office of International Affairs in the Presidential Court and chairwoman of the Ne'ma Steering Committee.
Khuloud Al Nuwais, secretary general of the Ne'ma steering committee, spoke of the importance of “cultivating a culture where food is valued, preserved and shared with care and mindfulness” across the Emirates.
An exhibition in Abu Dhabi on Thursday featured home-grown companies that are championing sustainability and aim to serve as role models.
Serving up support
Replate, a global social enterprise organisation, collects surplus food from hotels and delivers it to people in need, ensuring meals do not go to waste. Since 2016, Replate has recovered 3.9 million pounds of food, delivered 3.2 million meals and diverted 4,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions worldwide.
“Replate is a social enterprise that helps businesses donate surplus food safely to communities in need,” said Hachem Mahfoud, its founder and chief executive. “We use technology to track the environmental and social impact of these donations. Think of us like Talabat or Deliveroo, but for excess food.”
Replate was established in San Francisco and expanded to the UAE following an invitation to Expo 2020 Dubai. “We’ve been here for three years. In that time, we’ve delivered over 175,000 meals through our custom food rescue programmes, partnering with hotels, malls, and now exploring airports and catering companies. We’re also working on zero-waste events,” Mr Mahfoud said.
Replate collaborates with organisations such as Waste Lab to handle food that cannot be recovered, ensuring it is composted properly. They are also exploring reusable packaging options for food donations. “When people donate food, why not use reusable packaging? It’s a step toward reducing waste further,” he said.
Gourmet goodness
Bodour Al Tamimi, founder of Pure Soil Family Farm, lives by the motto: “If nature didn’t make it, then I’m not going to eat it.” For Ms Al Tamimi, everything must be pure and natural. She makes coffee from date pits, milk from nuts, and sources eggs from what she calls “happy chickens”.
“We are a family of artisans. We take farm products, create gourmet recipes, and put them into jars,” she said. In only three months, the mother of two has developed a range of products, including truffles made from dates, “pure” granola, jams and pickles.
“Everything is pure,” she said. “I don’t use any ingredients that could harm anyone. If I wouldn’t give it to my children, I’m not going to sell it.”
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Greatest of All Time
Starring: Vijay, Sneha, Prashanth, Prabhu Deva, Mohan
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UAE rugby season
FIXTURES
West Asia Premiership
Dubai Hurricanes v Dubai Knights Eagles
Dubai Tigers v Bahrain
Jebel Ali Dragons v Abu Dhabi Harlequins
UAE Division 1
Dubai Sharks v Dubai Hurricanes II
Al Ain Amblers v Dubai Knights Eagles II
Dubai Tigers II v Abu Dhabi Saracens
Jebel Ali Dragons II v Abu Dhabi Harlequins II
Sharjah Wanderers v Dubai Exiles II
LAST SEASON
West Asia Premiership
Winners – Bahrain
Runners-up – Dubai Exiles
UAE Premiership
Winners – Abu Dhabi Harlequins
Runners-up – Jebel Ali Dragons
Dubai Rugby Sevens
Winners – Dubai Hurricanes
Runners-up – Abu Dhabi Harlequins
UAE Conference
Winners – Dubai Tigers
Runners-up – Al Ain Amblers
The years Ramadan fell in May
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Expert advice
“Join in with a group like Cycle Safe Dubai or TrainYAS, where you’ll meet like-minded people and always have support on hand.”
Stewart Howison, co-founder of Cycle Safe Dubai and owner of Revolution Cycles
“When you sweat a lot, you lose a lot of salt and other electrolytes from your body. If your electrolytes drop enough, you will be at risk of cramping. To prevent salt deficiency, simply add an electrolyte mix to your water.”
Cornelia Gloor, head of RAK Hospital’s Rehabilitation and Physiotherapy Centre
“Don’t make the mistake of thinking you can ride as fast or as far during the summer as you do in cooler weather. The heat will make you expend more energy to maintain a speed that might normally be comfortable, so pace yourself when riding during the hotter parts of the day.”
Chandrashekar Nandi, physiotherapist at Burjeel Hospital in Dubai
Have you been targeted?
Tuan Phan of SimplyFI.org lists five signs you have been mis-sold to:
1. Your pension fund has been placed inside an offshore insurance wrapper with a hefty upfront commission.
2. The money has been transferred into a structured note. These products have high upfront, recurring commission and should never be in a pension account.
3. You have also been sold investment funds with an upfront initial charge of around 5 per cent. ETFs, for example, have no upfront charges.
4. The adviser charges a 1 per cent charge for managing your assets. They are being paid for doing nothing. They have already claimed massive amounts in hidden upfront commission.
5. Total annual management cost for your pension account is 2 per cent or more, including platform, underlying fund and advice charges.
Fixtures
50-over match
UAE v Lancashire, starts at 10am
Champion County match
MCC v Surrey, four-day match, starting on Sunday, March 24, play starts at 10am
Both matches are at ICC Academy, Dubai Sports City. Admission is free.
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