ne’ma expands Food Rescue Programme to Sharjah during Ramadan

Sharjah 24: ne’ma, the National Food Loss and Waste Initiative, has expanded its food rescue programme to Sharjah during Ramadan. The programme focuses on redistributing surplus food to beneficiaries, partnering with local food producers such as the Sharjah Agricultural and Livestock Production Establishment (Ektifa).

Community and volunteer engagement

In collaboration with Takatof, an Emirates Foundation initiative, ne’ma has mobilized 100 volunteers to assemble and distribute iftar boxes at the Higher Colleges of Technology campus in Muwaileh. These boxes contain essential food items like fresh fruits, vegetables, grains, and protein sources. The initiative is part of the UAE’s Year of Community and aims to promote responsible food consumption practices.

Partnership and support

Khuloud Hassan Al Nuwais, Chief Sustainability Officer of Emirates Foundation, expressed pride in the collaboration between government entities, private partners, and community organizations. She emphasised the program’s contribution to the national goal of reducing food waste by 50% by 2030. Additionally, ne’ma has partnered with the Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation to support vulnerable communities.

Continuing success across the UAE

This initiative follows ne’ma’s successful Ramadan food rescue efforts in Abu Dhabi, which have been running in Al Ain, Al Dhafra, and Abu Dhabi City. Mohamed Al Hosani, Director of Programs at Emirates Foundation, highlighted the overwhelming volunteer response across the country, underscoring the UAE’s commitment to social responsibility and community engagement.

Local partnerships in Sharjah

In Sharjah, ne’ma collaborates with Ektifa to help reduce food waste and strengthen food security. His Excellency Dr Khalifa Musabeh Ahmed Alteneiji, Chairman of Ektifa, expressed pride in this collaboration, emphasizing the shared values of solidarity and sustainability.

Key collaborations

ne’ma is working with several partners, including Silal, ADAFSA, IFFCO Group, Hot Pack, Safco, Al Bakrawi Holding, Arla Foods, and others, to drive systemic change and support national goals to reduce food waste.

About ne'ma

ne'ma – the National Food Loss and Waste Initiative, is a response to the call to action by the President of the United Arab Emirates, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, to reduce food waste, encourage individual and social responsibility, and promote sustainable practices across the food value chain.

Established in 2022, ne'ma aims to address overproduction and overconsumption and build new standards that can contribute to the reduction of food loss and food waste, reconnecting with the country's deep-rooted traditional values of social responsibility and mindful stewardship of national resources.