Experience a food fest with a fresh purpose tackling waste on a grand scale
Abu Dhabi’s popular culinary festival, Taste of Abu Dhabi, is stepping up its sustainability game this year by partnering with the National Food Loss and Waste initiative ne’ma to become the festival’s official food waste reduction partner.
From 15-17 November, visitors to Gateway Park South on Yas Island can look forward to more than delicious bites and chef showcases; they’ll also be part of a movement to make food waste history.
A festival with purpose
Taste of Abu Dhabi attracts around 17,000 visitors annually, celebrating the UAE’s culinary diversity with mouthwatering dishes, cooking demos, and live entertainment.
This year, however, there’s a powerful mission woven into the festivities: reducing food waste. ne’ma will be working closely with participating chefs, restaurants, and vendors to manage food waste responsibly.
From interactive stations to thought-provoking demos, the ne’ma team will engage visitors with eye-opening insights into the issue of food waste; and offer practical, everyday solutions to prevent it.
Turning food scraps into green gold
To minimise the environmental impact, ne’ma has teamed up with ReLoop to compost organic food scraps from the festival. The initiative ensures food waste is transformed into nutrient-rich compost that will benefit local farms, rather than filling up UAE landfills.
This collaboration represents a new level of commitment to sustainability in large-scale events in the UAE, showcasing how composting can effectively divert waste streams while nourishing the local soil.
You might also like: Yas Winter Fest returns to Abu Dhabi
Leaders in sustainability
Speak Out Khuloud Hasan Al Nuwais, Chief Sustainability Officer of Emirates Foundation and ne’ma Steering Committee Secretary-General, shed light on the urgency of addressing food waste.
“Over 30 per cent of food imported and produced in the UAE goes to waste, highlighting the critical need for partnerships to drive meaningful change,” Al Nuwais said.
“Our collaboration with Taste of Abu Dhabi enables ne’ma to engage with the community directly and sets a new standard for event organizers 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 Taste of Abu Dhabi spokesperson echoed this sentiment, saying, “We’re proud to partner with ne’ma and contribute to a solution that’s vital not only to our community but also to global efforts to reduce food waste.
“As we bring large-scale festivals to the UAE, we’re thrilled to use our platform to spread not only joy but also impactful initiatives to thousands.”
Toward a waste-free future
Through its partnerships and outreach, ne’ma’s vision is to see the UAE become a place where food is cherished, not wasted. This collaboration at Taste of Abu Dhabi exemplifies how community events can make a tangible impact on environmental issues.
Together, ne’ma and Taste of Abu Dhabi are inviting festival-goers to experience not only the flavours of the UAE but also a shared commitment to a sustainable future.
Follow Yalla for all the latest news
