Ne’ma has released a zero-food waste guide to help event organizers and food businesses tackle food loss. Launched on Wednesday, this guide is part of Emirates Foundation’s food loss initiative, which began in March 2022.
The initiative has worked with major events like COP28, Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), and Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW), achieving up to a 60% reduction in food waste, according to Khuloud Al Nuwais, Secretary-General of Ne’ma and CEO of Emirates Foundation.
Khuloud explained that although measuring exact food waste is challenging, around 30-40% of food produced or imported in the UAE ends up wasted. “We import 80–30% of our food and waste about 30%—that’s nearly one-third,” she noted.
Tackling Food Waste at Events
Ne’ma’s collaboration on a federal level is paving the way for a more accurate food-loss index, which will help address this issue effectively. During zero-waste events, surplus food is donated to those in need, while leftovers are turned into fertilizer to prevent landfill waste.
Khuloud emphasized the importance of changing consumer behavior: “The guide is the result of two years of collaboration and highlights simple steps to reduce waste.” For instance, providing smaller plates at buffets and placing awareness messages in food outlets can significantly influence behavior.
“The UAE’s culture is known for its hospitality and lavish buffets. While we encourage people to enjoy, we also want them to be mindful and avoid waste,” she added.
Practical Tips for Event Planners
The guide recommends event organizers:
- Pre-plan menus and control portions.
- Train catering teams on food waste management.
- Empower chefs to adapt menus based on consumption patterns.
One success story is Capital Catering, which rescued over 400kg of unserved food during ADSW last year. These efforts resulted in delivering over 1,000 meals to underprivileged families and converting three tonnes of leftovers into 500kg of fertilizer.
Ahmad Shaker, Interim CEO of Capital Catering, highlighted the impact: “This year, we diverted over 4,000kg of food waste from landfills and donated 1,862 meals. We aim to increase our impact by at least 30% in 2025.”
Global and Local Food Waste Statistics
The Zero-Food Waste Guide was unveiled during the Global Food Security Summit held in Abu Dhabi from Nov 26–28. It aligns with the UAE’s 2030 vision to cut food waste by 50%. Globally, 1.2 billion tonnes of food are lost annually during farming and harvest stages, while 30% of global food production goes to waste.
This guide is a vital step toward reducing food waste and fostering sustainable practices. You can download it at Ne’ma’s official site.
