The Arada Foundation launched a Ramadan initiative that will see 4,000 boxes of healthy, fresh produce picked straight from Emirati farms distributed to local families in partnership with the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE).
The programme is being managed by Manbat, the farmer’s market based at the Aljada megaproject in Sharjah.
The initiative, which will be spread over a 20-day period during Ramadan, began on 18 April. The produce will be selected from farms around the UAE that have been inspected by MOCCAE to ensure full health and safety compliance.
Volunteers, including members of Arada’s staff, will visit the farms to help pick fruit and vegetables to be packed, amounting to 200 boxes of produce every day.
Once packed, the boxes will be collected by refrigerated vehicles managed by Sharjah Cooperative Society and delivered to Sharjah Charity International, which will then distribute them to local families in the UAE.
The Ramadan campaign is in line with MOCCAE’s goals to promote food security, stabilise food supply chains and reduce the UAE’s dependence on exports.
Dr Abdullah bin Mohammed Belhaif Al Nuaimi, Minister of Climate Change and Environment said: “The initiative is a prime example of a public-private partnership for the benefit of the community, and the fact that it takes place during Ramadan, the month of giving, adds a special importance.
“MOCCAE is always ready to support businesses that are keen to give back to society. We commend the efforts of Arada and its stakeholders to ensure the success of the initiative.”
Included inside each Manbat box will be a wide range of the best of local produce, with 16 ingredients in total. These include fruit, vegetables, herbs, honey and dates, and each box will also contain a Manbat apron and oven glove.
The Ramadan campaign marks the first official programme of the Arada Foundation, a new entity that has just been set up by the Sharjah-based developer to consolidate and structure its previous corporate social responsibility activities.
During Ramadan, the Manbat farmer’s market will take place at night, with timings between 9pm to 1am every Friday and Saturday evening at Aljada.