The JW Marriott Marquis Dubai recently participated in a new city initiative launched by Dubai Municipality wherein excess food from large banquets and buffets, from homes or hotels, will be packaged and delivered to those less fortunate.

The initiative, Heafz Al Na'amah, is not just for Ramadan, but a year-round effort in corporate social responsibility in collaboration with the Municipality.

Launched during Gulf Food 2016, the initiative will regulate the process of collecting, packaging and distributing excess food that would otherwise go to waste to needy families and individuals as part of social solidarity, Hussain Nasser Lootah, director- general of Dubai Municipality said. Other beneficiaries include labourers and workers and the public during Ramadan in Iftar tents. The initiative will be only be carried out by charities and hotels that are authorised and approved by the municipality's Food Control Department and JW Marriott Marquis Dubai are delighted to have passed all the requirements and be part of this community effort. To date the JW Marriott Marquis Dubai have already shared more than 3,900 portions of useable food with the needy.

Under the agreement, charities transport food from hotels using refrigerated vehicles and distribute them in accordance with the requirements and standards of health and safety issued by the municipality. The hotel will provide charities with a schedule of events that they expect to result in food surplus, and package and store the food in accordance with the requirements and standards of health and safety issued by the municipality. The JW Marriott Marquis Dubai will also provide the municipality with quarterly reports, which will include the number of meals distributed, names of the charity organisations they contacted and an evaluation of the charities' response to them.

Aurelia Caccamo, director of Food Safety and Environmental Services at the JW Marriott Marquis Dubai was particularly impressed by the Tarahum Charity Foundation partner as they are small in size, extremely committed, have very well -trained staff and chilled vehicles. Tarahum pack the food from JW Marriott Marquis Dubai themselves and use one-time use coats for their staff to maintain the highest possible level of hygiene.  

Aurelia said “Food Safety will be our top priority and we will not donate any high risk foods or foods that were exposed to our guests. My team will note down what we give and we will re-assess constantly to ensure there are no risks. Our food will be personally delivered to labour camps and registered families. I am very proud to be involved in this great Dubai initiative, which has a broad vision of sustainability and enhances charity in Dubai throughout the year, not only during Ramadan.” - TradeArabia News Service