Story of success: Ayesha's Food ATM feeds thousands daily in the UAE

Ayesha Khan's five kitchens across the UAE are not just busy around the clock, they are bustling with the energy of a community coming together. They are feeding 12,000 to 15,000 people daily, a staggering number that underscores the impact of her initiative, Food ATM, founded in 2019. This initiative provides affordable meals to low-income workers; if someone can't pay, they receive the food for free. Despite the scale, Ayesha insists she isn't in the food business but aims to make a community impact.

Ayesha's motivation stems from personal hardship. Growing up in Ahmedabad, India, she faced financial struggles after her father's death. She balanced her brother's education and her mother's dialysis by teaching and coaching. Hunger was a constant companion, making her vow to feed the hungry if she ever could.

Her career began at BSNL, a leading telecom operator in India. She worked across various states, handling IT infrastructure and billing software, earning recognition for her expertise.

In 2006, she moved to Dubai, where she joined the company as a telecom engineer. Cooking became a stress reliever, and she began sharing food with colleagues and low-wage workers, who appreciated the savings more than the taste. This realization led her to focus on affordable meals for everyone.

In 2019, Ayesha started the first Food ATM in Ajman after securing the necessary licenses and approvals. The journey was challenging, with friends criticizing her decision to sell property in India to fund the venture.

She faced rejection from corporations and significant financial losses, even pulling her children out of school. Yet, the 2020 pandemic brought a turnaround. Companies sought her low-cost meals for their workers, boosting her business.

In 2021, Ayesha's efforts were not just recognized, they were celebrated. She received Guinness World Records recognition for feeding 50,744 people in less than eight hours, a feat that made the entire nation proud. She also joined the Board of Directors of the United Nations Global Compact, UAE Chapter, a testament to her impact on a global scale.

Food ATM operates on contracts with corporate organizations, providing three meals daily for over 3,000 workers. Workers receive a food ATM card loaded with meal counts that are reset monthly.

Sponsors prepay for meals, and workers use the card, which includes their photo, QR code, company ID, and contact details. Non-contract workers can buy meals with cash at the same low prices.

The innovative meal card system helps workers manage their finances. Often, workers need more funds at the start of the month to send money home, leaving them struggling for the rest of the month. The card ensures they have meals covered throughout the month.

Ayesha's business model focuses on sourcing near-expiry food items at low costs to provide affordable meals, reduce food wastage, and support labourers. She believes ending world hunger isn't impossible, citing the significant food wastage in the UAE. Redistributing this food could make a substantial impact.