Food waste takes the stage at Expo 2020 Dubai

Staff Reporter, Gulf Today

In celebration of World Food Day, the United Nations World Food Programme in partnership with the Australian Department for Foreign Affairs and Trade hosted “Stop the Waste” event, with a focus on the climate change crisis.

The event took place at the Australian Pavilion, mobility district at Expo 2020 with the aim to mobilise collective action by all stakeholders to reduce food waste.

Speakers at the event included, Justin McGowan, Commissioner General EXPO 2020, Australia, Dena Assaf, UN Resident Coordinator in UAE, Dr Moez El Shohdi, President & CEO, Food Banking Regional Network and Ms. Caterina Galluzzi, Deputy Director, UN WFP, GCC.

Globally, enough food is produced to feed the world’s 7 billion people, yet 811 million people still go to bed hungry each night.

Among the factors that are driving global hunger is the climate crisis. Climate shocks and stresses are destroying lives, crops and livelihoods, and undermining people’s ability to feed themselves. Communities who contribute the least to the climate crisis are bearing the brunt of its impacts with limited means to cushion the blow.
Children take part in cooking contest at Australian Pavilion.

Justin McGowan, Commissioner General EXPO 2020, Australia, said: “The impact of food waste on the environment, as well as human health, cannot be ignored. It’s shocking to think that a quarter of water used in agriculture is used to grow food that is ultimately wasted. Australian science and technology across sustainable agriculture, waste treatment and the creation of value from food waste is contributing to the reduction of food waste across the supply chain.”

Each year the amount of food that is lost or wasted amounts to a financial loss of about $1 trillion.

“Food that is lost or wasted accounts for some 3 billion tonnes of unnecessary greenhouse gas emissions — in turn, accelerating the climate crisis and its impact on rising hunger, said Galluzzi. “We need to find solutions that address food losses and waste throughout supply chains around the world and ensure a decrease in world hunger, she added.

Dr Assaf, stressed on the urgent need to come together in solidarity to ensure food security for all especially with the exacerbating effects of COVID-19.

A senior official interacts with participants during the cooking show. 

While Dr El Shohdi inspired the attendees by giving tangible examples on how through its sixty-two food banks, the Food Banking Regional Network is providing meals to around 54 million people every month, bringing together supporters from governments, the private and the HORECA sectors.

The event was supported by Choithrams and included a live cooking activity to showcase how one can repurpose surplus food to avoid food waste.

The cook-off was led by Michelin starred Chef Roberto Rispoli from Jumeirah Group, Australian acclaimed Chef, Restaurateur and Top Chef Alumni, Chef Janine Booth, Chef Maya Badran specialised in plant based and food waste friendly cooking, and influencer Mayada Sleiman winner of “Chopped” cooking show, who cooked with participating kids delicious meals for a perfect lunch box, made of leftovers.

During the event, Dubai Eye presenter Helen Farmer sparked a lively discussion with the attendees, and Clinical Dietitian Mitun DeSarkar provided inspiring tips on how we can use excess food, misfits and end of day produce to create nutritious meals for the whole family.

#StopTheWaste is a movement for change launched by the United Nations World Food Programme and aims to spotlight the global issue of food waste and offer a simple solution we can all take to fight hunger by just wasting less food.

One-third of food produced for human consumption is lost or wasted throughout the supply chain, from initial agricultural production to final household consumption.

In developed countries where the infrastructure is solid and the food supply chain is efficient, 40% of food is wasted “after the plate” meaning people are simply buying more food than they can consume.

Through WFP, supporters can efficiently fight hunger by wasting less food and turning their savings from that positive practice into lifesaving food for those who need it most.

Individuals can also start by making small actions daily, such as planning the groceries, mixing leftovers to create your next meal, using everything your food can offer, like potato peels to make chips, or using bones to create a delicious and nutritious broth.

The United Nations World Food Programme is the 2020 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate. We are the world’s largest humanitarian organization, saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters, and the impact of climate change.

Since the opening of Domino’s Pizza in the Opportunity district weeks before the official opening of Expo 2020, it has seen a record demand at its store. The much-loved pizza restaurant has since increased its footprint through a Food Truck in Mobility district and a 40-foot container converted to a Domino’s store located in the Sustainability district, catering to the high demand of the beloved pizza. With the additional two stores, Domino’s is now represented across the whole site at this historic event.

 Customers will be wowed by the unique new store design with a Pizza Theater concept. Visitors from around the world will be able to have a candid view of how the pizzas are made, all while enjoying the quality and freshness Domino’s is known for.

 “We are excited to see such a great response so soon,” said COO, Shobhit Tandon. “There are visitors from around the world to witness The World’s Greatest Show, the first in the Middle East. Expo is huge and it is hard to cover one district with so many pavilions in a single visit, now that we are across all three districts, we can cater to a larger audience.” added Tandon.

Alamar Foods, master franchisee of Domino’s Pizza in the MENAP region, has distributed over 1,600 Expo tickets until today, out of which 200 multi-entry Expo tickets were given as a gesture of gratitude to their ‘Super Loyal Customers’.

The pizza giant also continues its daily ticket giveaway of 50 multi-entry Expo tickets with the purchase of any one of the four curated Expo Meal deals from any store across the UAE. Additionally, the giveaways coincide with an exciting social media ‘Tag & Win’ campaign running until the end of March 2022. Anyone who takes an image of a Domino’s pizza, its logo, store, delivery or anything related to Domino’s, will have the opportunity to win one of ten Expo tickets daily.  “This is a once in a lifetime event, and we want to give the opportunity to as many people as possible to attend. This is our way of giving back to our loyal community,” added Tandon.

Food is a huge part of the six-month event with dozens of dinning experiences. The Expo site has become a gastro destination in itself. Pizza being one of the most loved foods in the world, makes Domino’s an important player in the culinary scene at Expo 2020.