Bahrain initiative to feed the needy

Manama / Tribune News Service

An initiative to collect excess fresh food from supermarkets and distribute to those in need could soon be
implemented. Muharraq Municipal Council chairman Mohammed Al Sinan said throwing away unsold edible food should be banned, describing it as a blessing from God that must be conserved.
Hundreds of thousands of farm animals, as well as stray dogs and cats, could benefit from tonnes of fresh fruit, vegetables and meat that are left to pile up and consequently thrown away by the end of the day.
Al Sinan said most food items still remain fresh and edible at the time of disposal and also suggested co-operating with societies to distribute them to families in need.
“Tonnes of fruits, vegetables and meat are being thrown away by
many supermarkets every day,”
he told the GDN.
“This must be banned and I will soon be working with council members on a proposal to stop this practice. Not stopping this practice is like turning a blind eye to those not conserving God’s blessings.” “However, I am sure the situation can easily change if we met with supermarkets and raised our concerns to them.”
“The council can liaise with barn owners and farms, as well as those looking after stray animals, who are in need of such an initiative. Societies should also co-operate with the council and supermarkets to allocate some of the unsold food to poor families as most of it remains fresh and can be used instead of being disposed of.”
Al Sinan referred to the Dogfather’s Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre, Saar, which houses around 450
abandoned and injured animals including dogs, cats, rabbits, ducks, pigeons, parrots, a baboon, a donkey and a goat.
Some of these animals are injured, have only three legs, or no hind legs, while others are crippled or blind or deaf. The centre often faces shortage of money and struggles with lack
of food for the animals, which put their lives at risk.
“I went behind the scenes at one supermarket in Bahrain. I saw a room full to the ceiling with fruit and vegetables and another cold room full of packed chicken and meat waiting to be thrown away,” centre owner Tony Waters told the GDN.
“They initially agreed to donate some of it to the animals but later officials told me that it was not their policy. “It is such a waste and very disappointing to see all sorts of fresh food being thrown away like that. Maybe the food cannot be put on shelves again due to commercial purposes but it is definitely edible for both humans and animals.”
However, Capital Trustees Board chairman Mohammed Al Khozaie argued that the food items displayed by street vendors can hardly be considered safe to eat by the end of the day because of how they store the food. “Supermarkets are free to give away their excess but street vendors is a
totally different case,” he said.