In a bold and compassionate move, Expo City Dubai has launched the Terrazo Food Rescue programme, a sustainability-driven initiative that provides wholesome, repurposed meals to the city’s blue-collar workforce. This impactful programme addresses both food waste and food insecurity—while honoring the tireless labor of the men and women who physically build the city’s future.
As Expo City transitions into a hub of innovation and inclusivity, this initiative marks a significant cultural and ethical milestone in the region’s ongoing mission to care for all who call Dubai home.
A Mission That Goes Beyond Food
The Terrazo Food Rescue programme aims to collect surplus food from restaurants and eateries across Expo City Dubai and transform it into safe, nutritious meals for laborers working across various development sites. More than just an operational fix to food waste, this programme carries with it a larger social message: no one should go to bed hungry—especially those helping construct tomorrow’s cities.
The workers who receive these meals are often involved in physically demanding jobs—from construction and landscaping to infrastructure maintenance. For many, access to fresh, well-balanced meals has historically been a challenge. Terrazo Food Rescue is working to change that narrative.
Each meal delivered under the programme is more than just sustenance—it’s a token of gratitude.
How the Programme Works
The Terrazo team has set up a smooth, efficient food rescue and redistribution pipeline inside Expo City. Here’s how the operation flows:
- Sourcing: Leftover but safe-to-eat food is identified daily from restaurants, cafes, food trucks, and event catering.
- Inspection & Repurposing: A specially trained kitchen team inspects every meal, ensuring hygiene and freshness. Items are repackaged, or in some cases, re-cooked or combined to ensure quality and nutrition.
- Packing & Distribution: Workers at key project zones receive these meals in eco-friendly packaging during lunch breaks or at the end of their shifts.
- Feedback Loop: Workers and site managers provide feedback to help improve quality, portion sizes, and variety.
In essence, Terrazo has created a fully circular food system that takes care of people while reducing waste and environmental impact.
A Human-Centered Approach to Sustainability
Sustainability at Expo City Dubai is more than just green buildings and solar panels. It’s about creating systems that nurture people and the planet together. The Terrazo Food Rescue programme is rooted in Expo City’s broader ethical vision: to build a regenerative and inclusive urban model.
In addition to fighting food waste, this programme embodies the city’s core values of equality, fairness, and innovation. Expo City’s leadership understands that workers—often invisible in public discourse—deserve recognition, dignity, and care.
By integrating sustainability with compassion, Terrazo brings humanity back into corporate social responsibility. It’s about seeing and feeding the human beings behind the hard hats.
Who’s Behind Terrazo?
At the heart of this programme is a team that combines strategy with heart:
- Volunteers from Expo City’s community who help sort, pack, and distribute food.
- NGO partners that specialize in logistics and outreach to labor communities.
- Chefs and nutritionists who design meals that are not only filling, but culturally sensitive.
- Tech support teams who are developing digital tools to track impact and food volumes.
Everyone involved shares a deep belief: care must be actioned, not just expressed.
Stories from the Ground
What makes the Terrazo programme deeply powerful is its real-life impact.
Ramesh, a construction worker from Nepal, says:
“We work long hours and mostly eat what we can afford. But now, when I get a hot, proper meal, I feel valued. It’s not just about food. It’s about feeling like someone sees our work.”
Aliya, a volunteer at Terrazo, adds:
“We started with 100 meals a day. Now we’re doing over 600. Seeing the smiles and gratitude makes it all worth it. These are the unsung heroes of our city.”
Ibrahim, a catering manager from one of the participating restaurants, explains:
“We used to throw away good food every day. Now, it goes where it should—into the hands of people who need it. That feels right.”
Why This Matters Right Now
Globally, food waste and food insecurity are two sides of the same coin. According to international estimates, one-third of all food produced ends up being wasted—while millions struggle to afford nutritious meals.
Dubai is no exception. While known for its luxury and development, the city also faces challenges typical of any fast-growing metropolis. Initiatives like Terrazo highlight the possibility of balancing progress with empathy.
In the UAE’s 2025 Sustainability Vision, reducing waste and promoting social cohesion are key targets. Terrazo aligns directly with this—and sets an example that can be scaled across the Gulf region and beyond.
What’s Next for Terrazo?
The success of the programme’s first phase has paved the way for growth.
Expansion plans include:
- Increasing daily meal volume from 600 to 2,000+ across new worker hubs
- Introducing an app for workers to request meals, share feedback, and report issues
- Partnering with other developers across Dubai to adopt the Terrazo model
- Hosting awareness campaigns during local sustainability events and expos
Terrazo is also considering introducing nutrition workshops and basic cooking classes for laborers interested in learning about healthy, affordable food habits.
This vision is not just about feeding people today—it’s about building stronger communities for tomorrow.
Final Thoughts: A City That Cares
At a time when global headlines are dominated by division and crisis, Terrazo’s launch is a refreshing story of unity and care. Expo City Dubai has once again positioned itself at the forefront of ethical innovation—not just through smart technologies or green buildings, but by embracing human-first thinking.
By feeding the hands that build the city, Terrazo Food Rescue reminds us that the future is not only about efficiency, but empathy.
In this moment, Dubai tells the world: every worker matters. Every meal counts. And together, we can build a kinder tomorrow.
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