Expo City Dubai has introduced Terrazo, an innovative pilot programme designed to convert surplus food into nutritious meals for blue-collar workers. This initiative aims to address the twin challenges of food waste and the nutritional needs of a significant workforce sector. Developed in collaboration with RBT Collective, the project utilises smart fridge technology to distribute ready-to-eat meals made from rescued ingredients sourced from certified restaurants within Expo City.
Mai Shalaby, Senior Manager – Sustainability at Expo City Dubai, emphasised the programme’s mission: “Terrazo was launched to transform surplus food into daily nourishment for the workers powering Expo City.” Highlighting the staggering reality that one-third of global food produced is wasted, she pointed out that Terrazo seeks to bridge this gap by providing balanced meals through a clean and traceable distribution system. The pilot programme will run until September 2025, with ambitions to distribute over 10,000 meals and engage all onsite restaurants.
At the heart of Terrazo are smart fridges that monitor inventory, temperature, and access in real-time, a notable advancement in food distribution technology. This system replaces conventional refrigeration methods by ensuring continuous monitoring and data collection to maintain food safety. “Food safety is paramount,” Shalaby stated, further assuring that all surplus is checked for freshness and complies with UAE food safety standards.
The initiative, however, has encountered challenges, particularly in ensuring a consistent and safe supply of surplus food within tight timeframes. Shalaby noted, “Consistent, safe surplus supply within tight timeframes posed the biggest challenge.” The implementation of a comprehensive end-to-end system that encompasses sourcing, sorting, packaging, and distribution is essential for overcoming these hurdles.
Terrazo’s design is not only innovative but also modular, making it adaptable for replication across the UAE. It is anticipated that scaling up the programme will require strong partnerships and alignment within the food services sector. Shalaby expressed confidence in the model, indicating that it was well-positioned for expansion: “Designed to scale, Terrazo’s modular system is ready for replication across the UAE.”
The Terrazo launch aligns with broader efforts across the UAE to combat food waste. The UAE Food Bank recently unveiled a strategic plan aimed at reducing food wastage by 30% by 2027. Since its inception in 2017, the Food Bank has distributed over 55 million meals, significantly contributing to the reduction of food waste, equivalent to saving around 55,000 tonnes of food.
Additionally, Ne’ma, the National Food Loss and Waste Initiative, complements these efforts by focusing on recycling inedible food and managing food surplus effectively. Through collaborations with the UAE Food Bank, Ne’ma has distributed over a million meals to vulnerable communities, reflecting a comprehensive approach to tackling food insecurity.
The evolution of Terrazo can also be seen as a natural progression from Expo 2020’s earlier Replate initiative, moving towards a more integrated system that emphasizes food circularity rather than charity alone. Shalaby encapsulated this shift, stating, “Each meal saved cuts emissions, water use, and insecurity,” suggesting an environmental benefit alongside the social impact of improved nutrition.
As the region continues to grapple with the complex issues of food waste and nutritional disparities, initiatives like Terrazo represent a vital step in the direction of sustainability and community support. With technologies and frameworks that encourage responsible consumption and distribution, the potential for scalable solutions appears promising.
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Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.arabianbusiness.com/culture-society/expo-city-dubai-launches-new-terrazo-food-rescue-programme-for-blue-collar-workers – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://www.arabianbusiness.com/culture-society/expo-city-dubai-launches-new-terrazo-food-rescue-programme-for-blue-collar-workers – Expo City Dubai has launched Terrazo, a pilot programme that transforms surplus food into meals for blue-collar workers, aiming to tackle food waste and address nutritional needs. Developed in partnership with RBT Collective, the initiative operates through smart fridges distributing ready-to-eat meals made from rescued ingredients sourced from certified restaurants within Expo City. The programme runs until September 2025, with plans to distribute over 10,000 meals and engage all onsite restaurants.
- https://www.khaleejtimes.com/uae/uae-food-bank-announces-new-plan-to-reduce-waste-by-30-in-next-4-years – The UAE Food Bank has unveiled a strategic plan for 2023-2027, aiming to reduce food wastage by 30% by 2027. The plan includes advancing digital transformation, supporting local farmers, and forging strategic partnerships with food establishments to donate surplus food. Since its establishment in 2017, the UAE Food Bank has distributed over 55 million meals, saving approximately 55,000 tonnes of food from being discarded as waste.
- https://www.khaleejtimes.com/uae/uaes-national-initiative-curbs-food-waste-feeds-over-1-million-needy-people – Ne’ma, the National Food Loss and Waste Initiative, in collaboration with the UAE Food Bank, has distributed over a million meals to the underprivileged within the country. The initiative focuses on recycling inedible food and managing food surplus to reduce waste, aligning with Ne’ma’s ‘Food Rescue’ programme held during Ramadan.
- https://www.khaleejtimes.com/uae/uae-food-bank-announces-new-plan-to-reduce-waste-by-30-in-next-4-years – The UAE Food Bank has unveiled a strategic plan for 2023-2027, aiming to reduce food wastage by 30% by 2027. The plan includes advancing digital transformation, supporting local farmers, and forging strategic partnerships with food establishments to donate surplus food. Since its establishment in 2017, the UAE Food Bank has distributed over 55 million meals, saving approximately 55,000 tonnes of food from being discarded as waste.
- https://www.khaleejtimes.com/uae/uaes-national-initiative-curbs-food-waste-feeds-over-1-million-needy-people – Ne’ma, the National Food Loss and Waste Initiative, in collaboration with the UAE Food Bank, has distributed over a million meals to the underprivileged within the country. The initiative focuses on recycling inedible food and managing food surplus to reduce waste, aligning with Ne’ma’s ‘Food Rescue’ programme held during Ramadan.
- https://www.khaleejtimes.com/uae/uae-food-bank-announces-new-plan-to-reduce-waste-by-30-in-next-4-years – The UAE Food Bank has unveiled a strategic plan for 2023-2027, aiming to reduce food wastage by 30% by 2027. The plan includes advancing digital transformation, supporting local farmers, and forging strategic partnerships with food establishments to donate surplus food. Since its establishment in 2017, the UAE Food Bank has distributed over 55 million meals, saving approximately 55,000 tonnes of food from being discarded as waste.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
10
Notes:
The narrative is recent, published on 11 June 2025. No earlier versions with differing figures, dates, or quotes were found. The programme is a new initiative, not a republished press release, ensuring high freshness. No discrepancies or recycled content were identified.
Quotes check
Score:
10
Notes:
The quotes from Mai Shalaby, Senior Manager – Sustainability at Expo City Dubai, are unique to this narrative. No identical quotes appear in earlier material, indicating original content.
Source reliability
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative originates from Arabian Business, a reputable news outlet. However, the absence of a byline raises slight concerns about the source’s credibility.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The Terrazo programme aligns with Expo City Dubai’s sustainability goals and previous initiatives, such as the Food Rescue Programme during Expo 2020. The involvement of RBT Collective, a known entity, adds credibility. The use of smart fridge technology for food distribution is plausible and consistent with current trends in sustainable food management.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative is recent, original, and aligns with Expo City Dubai’s sustainability initiatives. The source is reputable, and the claims are plausible and supported by known entities. No significant credibility risks were identified.
