The UAE Food Bank announced that it has signed several strategic partnership agreements with a number of companies participating in the 27th edition of Gulfood, the world’s largest food and beverage sourcing event being held at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC).

The agreements, which support the UAE Food Bank initiative in ensuring the efficient distribution of surplus food, were signed with Arab India Spices, Pure Food Processing Industries LLC, TANMIAH Food Company, Global Food Industries, International Beverage Filling Industries, La Lorraine Bakery Middle East DMCC, and Emirates Macaroni Factory.

Dawoud Al Hajri, Deputy Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the UAE Food Bank and Director General of Dubai Municipality, witnessed the signing of the agreements at Gulfood 2022, in the presence of members of the UAE Food Bank’s Board of Trustees as well as officials and department directors.

Al Hajri highlighted the importance of partnering with establishments to strengthen charitable work in the UAE and encourage community participation in reducing food wastage and distributing surplus food.

He expressed his appreciation to all those involved in supporting the charitable initiative for their efforts to achieve the vision of Sheikha Hind Bint Maktoum Bin Juma Al Maktoum, wife of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of the UAE Food Bank, to establish an integrated humanitarian system that promotes social solidarity and reduces food wastage by distributing excess food.

As part of its sustainable approach, the UAE Food Bank brings together a large number of establishments and volunteers to participate in the initiative and works actively to instill altruistic values in the community, following the example of the UAE’s founding founders, Al Hajri added.

The Deputy Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the UAE Food Bank stressed that the Bank, one of the nation’s largest humanitarian initiatives, reflects the generosity of the country’s people. Guided by the UAE leadership’s vision, the UAE Food Bank seeks to embed a strong culture of giving in the community.

As per the agreements, the companies will provide surplus food to the UAE Food Bank as well as train volunteers on the best methods to store and preserve surplus food in accordance with safety and hygiene practices.

According to the agreements, the surplus food donated by the companies must comply with the Bank’s guidelines, while the food stored and packaged must meet the food safety and hygiene requirements set by Dubai Municipality. In addition, the agreements stipulate that companies must provide the Bank with information on the quantity and durability of the surplus food.

The UAE Food Bank plans to convert six of its branches into institutions that can train young volunteers to promote charitable and volunteer work in the community.

Operating under the umbrella of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, the UAE Food Bank functions within an integrated system that relies on multiple partners, including volunteers, donor institutions and supervisory bodies to ensure the supply and safe distribution of surplus food. The food is distributed in cooperation with a network of food establishments and local and international humanitarian bodies.

The Bank seeks to continue expanding its network of both regional and international partnerships, to ensure the supply of surplus food to the Bank’s centres and branches, located both inside and outside the country.

HSA GROUP: The HSA Group, a trusted multi-national corporation, recognised globally for its discerning investments, efficient manufacturing systems and market leading brands, was present at Gulfood 2022, the world’s largest annual food and beverage trade show currently being held at the Dubai World Trade Centre, until yesterday.

The diversified conglomerate operates in various business sectors across manufacturing, commercial and industry services. HSA Group’s continued success in accessing new global markets is upheld with the manufacturing and trading of high-quality products, and by delivering cutting-edge services to its customers. At the annual tradeshow, HSA Group showcased its unique FMCG brand portfolio to over four thousand companies, from around 120 countries.

Commenting on the Gulfood event, Shawki Ahmed Hayel Saeed, Group Chief Operations Officer at HSA Group, said: “We were delighted to participate in the 27th edition of the world’s largest annual food and beverage sourcing event. This participation is yet another milestone for our conglomerate as we have successfully participated in 17 editions of the tradeshow. Through our business’ FMCG vertical there are critical priorities that we seek to effectively serve including sustainability, impactful innovation in food production, and accessibility to high-quality products. Having been in business since 1938, We believe that the growth and prosperity of our business is enabled through impactful, strategic, partnerships within different environments, and Gulfood offers us an excellent global platform to network and highlight our innovative thinking and diversified product lines.”

“We are eager to meet and reconnect with our long-standing partners from the world over including UAE, KSA, UK, Malaysia, Indonesia, Kenya, Egypt, and Yemen, and to foster new collaborations over the next few days,” he added.

Many of HSA Group’s brands developed and introduced across global markets, have gone on to become household names, renowned for their universal quality and appeal to consumers. The group currently exports 50 brands to over 87 countries around the world. Through Gulfood, the group is determined to advance its strategy to grow local production capacity to effectively meet the region’s growing consumer demands.

This year’s edition of Gulfood is set to focus on enabling sustainability in the food and beverage industry. In keeping with this effort, HSA Group also seeks to establish its renewable energy strategy and expansion plans to produce alternative energy solutions predominantly for the commercial and industrial sector across the Mena region.

 F&B INNOVATORS: Food and beverage producers from across the GCC have made the most of a busy first three days of Gulfood 2022, capitalising on the opportunities at the 27th edition of the world’s largest annual F&B sourcing event at Dubai World Trade Centre, putting pen to paper on a number of MoUs and new partnerships.

Dubai-based hydroponic farm management company, Greener Crop, which specialises in setting up and operating commercial hydroponic farms, has maximised the growing appetite for agribusiness solutions with the signing of a partnership with Tamkeen Investments, a venture capital with an aim to revolutionise economic sectors in Oman and other GCC countries, to develop and manage hydroponic farms in Oman.