A total of 230 tonnes of surplus food, which would have otherwise gone to waste, was donated to families and low-income workers last year, it has been revealed.
The Conserving Bounties Society, which operates the Bahrain Food Bank (BFB), partnered with 66 hotels, supermarkets, restaurants and coffee shops across the country to carry out this noble deed throughout the year.
In comparison, 183 tonnes of food was saved and distributed in 2024.
The society’s chief executive officer Thawra Al Dhaen told the GDN that the group aims to further increase the number of meals saved in 2026 while expanding support to reach more families and beneficiaries. Plans are also in place to launch additional public awareness campaigns and recruit more volunteers.
“A total of 230 tonnes was saved last year, compared to 183 tonnes in 2024,” said Ms Al Dhaen.
“The growth we have seen was mainly due to stronger partnerships with hotels and event organisers, as well as increased public awareness about food waste.
“The primary sources of surplus food in 2025 included hotels, restaurants and cafés, supermarkets, weddings and large social gatherings, corporate events and conferences.”
Ms Al Dhaen highlighted that seasonal events significantly influence food waste.
“Ramadan resulted in the highest volume of surplus food due to the increase in gatherings such as Iftar tents and hotel buffets,” she said, adding that corporate annual events and large personal celebrations also contribute heavily to food waste.
She urged members of the public to be more mindful when hosting or attending events.
“It is estimated that people waste around 500 tonnes of food every day in Bahrain,” she said, attributing this to the rapid growth of the hospitality sector.
“The increasing number of hotels and rising living standards have led to many households to purchase more food than they can consume. A lack of awareness is also a contributing factor,” she added.
Since its inception in 2014, the Bahrain Food Bank has supported more than 3,000 families and 5,000 individuals, according to the organisation’s data.
“Low-income families with children are given priority, and any remaining food is distributed to other members of the community,” Ms Al Dhaen said.
She also outlined the organisation’s strict food safety and distribution procedures.
Surplus food is collected from partner locations and inspected on-site to ensure it is fresh, safe and properly stored. Meals are then portioned, labelled and delivered directly to beneficiaries using air-chilled vehicles.
To prevent spoilage and maintain quality, the society operates under strict timelines and health regulations. Food distribution agents undergo food safety training conducted by a former Health Ministry expert, and food from indoor buffets is accepted only if it fully complies with safety standards.
Nearly a fifth of all food produced each year is squandered or lost before it can be consumed, and the total cost of food loss and waste for the global economy is estimated at roughly $1 trillion (BD376,875,521,000).
n For information about food wastage in Bahrain or to donate, contact 33499499 or @bahrainfoodbank on Instagram.
julia@gdnmedia.bh
&uuid=(email))