Dubai: This Ramadan, residents in Dubai will be able to donate food to the needy through 80 Ramadan fridges from the UAE Food Bank, Gulf News has learnt.
The municipality has started distributing these fridges across mosques in Dubai. They will be operational after an official launch.
The civic body launched the Ramadan Fridge programme under the UAE Food Bank initiative on Saturday. The initiative was announced when the municipality launched the first branch of the UAE Food Bank in April.
The fridges are sponsored by different companies that have partnered with the UAE Food Bank initiative launched by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai as part of the Year of Giving.
Volunteers registered with the Community Development Authority (CDA) have been given training to ensure safety of the food donated through the fridge initiative, said Khalid Mohammad Sharif Al Awadhi, assistant director general for health, safety and environment control.
People from different walks of life including students are signing up to become a Ramadan fridge volunteers, he said.
“Each mosque will have at least one or two volunteers. They can choose the mosque based on where they live.”
Food Safety Department of the municipality will also assign food inspectors to oversee the functioning of the fridge donation programme and ensure food safety. They would be communicating all food safety principles and practices to the volunteers.
The department will also teach the volunteers on how to monitor food temperature, handle the food safely, ensure cleanliness in fridges etc. Senior officials of the department are also volunteering to supervise the fridges in mosques close to their homes.
“It is the responsibility of the volunteers and inspectors to make sure the food is fit for consumption. However, donors should also ensure the safety of the food they are donating.”
“They should not donate raw food except fruits and vegetables and should not keep cooked food open for long time.”
The official said specific boxes have been designated for these fridges. For the first time, these Ramadan fridges will accept home cooked food. However, donors should give high priority to food safety before donation, the official said.
“There should not be any time and temperature abuse. Food should be kept in safe temperatures before donation. Donors need to follow instructions regarding time difference between preparation and donation of food.”
The initiative, which also aims to cut food wastage during Ramadan, will not accept food left over in plates. “But surplus food left over in containers or cooking pots can be donated, provided they are kept at the right temperature.”
Al Awadhi said the public donors will be informed about rules to be followed for food donation through social media channels. “CDA will also host awareness sessions. There will be different programme and the volunteers will be trained regularly.”
He said needy people can just go to their nearby mosque and collect the donated food from the fridge.
“They should take what they need for themselves and their families. The idea is not to take more than what they need and cause more food wastage.”
In the next phase, he said, Dubai Municipality is planning to expand the fridge initiative to public parks in the emirate.
