ABU DHABI: ne’ma – the National Food Loss and Waste Initiative, has announced its collaboration with Taste of Abu Dhabi 2024 as the official ‘Food Waste Reduction Partner’. This partnership aims to educate festival-goers on global food waste solutions at one of the UAE’s most popular culinary events. Scheduled to take place from 15th to 17th November at Gateway Park South on Yas Island, the event is expected to attract approximately 17,000 visitors.
According to Emirates News Agency, ne’ma will work alongside participating chefs, restaurants, and vendors throughout the three-day event to manage food waste effectively. The initiative will also educate visitors on the causes of food waste and offer practical solutions that can be easily adopted in everyday life.
ne’ma, as the national custodian for combatting food loss and waste, is strategically partnering with ReLoop to compost food scraps and organic materials generated at the event. This effort will convert the waste into nutrient-rich compost for local f
arms, ensuring that no food waste ends up in landfills.
Khuloud Hasan Al Nuwais, Chief Sustainability Officer of Emirates Foundation and ne’ma Steering Committee Secretary-General, emphasized the importance of such collaborations, stating, “Food waste in the UAE is estimated at 3.5 million tonnes annually, highlighting the critical need for partnerships to drive meaningful change. Our collaboration with Taste of Abu Dhabi enables ne’ma to engage with the community directly and sets a new standard for event organisers to minimize their carbon footprint. By providing practical solutions and raising awareness, we aim to influence individual behaviors and contribute to a broader cultural shift in our approach to food consumption.”
A spokesperson for Taste of Abu Dhabi expressed pride in partnering with ne’ma, highlighting the significance of contributing to global efforts to reduce food waste. The spokesperson added, “As we deliver major festivals in the UAE, we are delighted that we can use our platform to not
only spread joy and entertainment but also integrate meaningful initiatives on a large scale to thousands of people.”
Through effective advocacy, partnerships, and outreach, ne’ma’s vision is to transform the UAE into a country where no food is wasted.
