Etihad Airways announced(March 16th) an exclusive partnership with Abu Dhabi Organics Farms, the first internationally certified organic farming initiative in the UAE, to supply fresh organic produce for its inflight First Class dining menus.
The airline will be sourcing fresh organic produce daily from the expansive farm. The farm’s production meets highest international quality standards and follows best practice of sustainable farming. A range of fresh food products, from eggs to vegetables to honey, will be served onboard.
Etihad Airways First Class Chefs, who are already serving up restaurant-quality dishes to order as part of the newly-unveiled First Class Mezoon Grille menu, will begin to incorporate these fresh ingredients in their onboard service. Plans to launch the farm-to-table concept across all cabin classes are currently underway.
Abu Dhabi Organics Farms was established in 1997 by Khalid Al Shamsi, an Emirati national passionate about organic living. Sitting on more than 55 hectares of land, featuring both greenhouses and outside fields, the farm grows a wide range of vegetables and fruits from around the world, as well as raising livestock such as camels, cows, chickens and goats.
The farm also offers daily fieldtrips to educate children on the importance of natural organic food, sustainability and recycling,allowing them to experience first-hand how the desert has been turned into fertile land.
Mr Al Shamsi said: “The Abu Dhabi Organics Farms works with the Food & Agricultural Organization of the United Nations and has been awarded the food security medal. We are a member of the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM), which issues accreditation and certificates for organic produce, and we have received HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points) certification for our hygiene and food safety measures.
“Abu Dhabi Organics Farms is the only farm in the world to receive the Social Value Award from the Valore Sociale, a center of excellence for corporate social responsibility, for our favourable worker conditions. Further, our Sidr Honey was recognised as the best in the world at the Biol Miel Internaitional Competition for Organic Honey.
“We are immensely proud to become a supplier for Etihad Airways and to know that our produce will be flown across the world and enjoyed by their guests.”
Peter Baumgartner, Etihad Airways’ Chief Commercial Officer, said: “Etihad Airways has always stressed the importance of partnering with local companies and we are proud to support organizations such as the Abu Dhabi Organics Farms as part of our ‘Product of the UAE’ initiative to bring local products to the world.
“Abu Dhabi Organics Farms is also a great fit with our aim to offer the very best in the air. We have always offered the freshest and healthiest foods available, but with this new partnership, our guests can even enjoy produce the same day it was harvested or even an egg the same day it was laid. Our ‘Farm-to-table’ initiative is again setting the ultimate inflight standards.”
