UAE Food Bank And Taya Art Unite For 'Cook Of Thousand Meals' Ramadan Initiative
The United Arab Emirates has taken a significant step towards combating food waste and fostering community spirit with the launch of the 'Cook of Thousand Meals' initiative. This initiative, a collaborative effort between the UAE Food Bank, under the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives Foundation, and Taya Art Production, saw the preparation and distribution of 20,000 meals for Iftar and Suhoor in Hatta and Za’beel, Dubai. More than 30 volunteers played a crucial role in the preparation, cooking, and packaging processes, embodying the spirit of Ramadan through their contributions.
The 'Cook of Thousand Meals' initiative is part of a broader campaign by the UAE Food Bank to provide 5 million meals to beneficiaries during the holy month of Ramadan. This effort not only aims to bring Emirati chefs and residents together in a meaningful collaboration but also seeks to instill a sense of community responsibility and cooperation. By focusing on the preservation of food and its distribution to those in need, the initiative aligns with the developmental vision of the UAE Food Bank.
Manal Bin Yaroof, Head of the Executive Team of the UAE Food Bank, emphasized the Bank's dedication to advancing its national community campaign's objectives during Ramadan. The campaign aims to supply meals to over half a million families and more than 3 million workers, reflecting the Bank's commitment to managing surplus food, reducing waste, and promoting philanthropy and social responsibility in the UAE.
"Our collaboration with private sector partners reflects the eagerness of various segments within society to participate in charitable and humanitarian efforts," said Bin Yaroof. This partnership not only promotes community responsibility but also encourages volunteerism, embodying values such as generosity, compassion, solidarity, and brotherhood during Ramadan.
Ibrahim Ali Khadem, Program Manager, shared insights into the program's phases. The first phase in Hatta saw over 8,700 meals distributed over three days. The subsequent phases at Za'beel Park in Dubai resulted in more than 12,000 breakfast meals and Suhoor being distributed. These events were marked by a strong sense of community cooperation, with citizens and resident chefs actively participating.
The program received substantial support from private food institutions and companies that provided all necessary materials and equipment for kitchen setups. This backing was crucial for the program’s success and in achieving its key objectives.
Throughout Ramadan, the UAE Food Bank's initiatives aim to provide 166,666 meals daily through various initiatives and sub-campaigns such as ‘Your Iftar is on Us’, ‘No for Wasting Food’, ‘Food Parcel’, ‘Iftar with the Workers’, along with 25 awareness programs. Over 350 strategic partners from food establishments, hotels, and companies will support these initiatives and campaigns.
With inputs from WAM
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