Uber Eats to refuel fasting delivery drivers with free food during final week of Ramadan
Staff Reporter
April 25, 2022
As members of the Muslim community continue to fast during the final days of Ramadan, Uber Eats today launches ‘Sundown Spots’ – a series of pop-up restaurants offering free iftar meals after sundown – to support the hardworking delivery drivers and couriers working throughout Ramadan and keeping the nation fed, the company said.
The ‘Sundown Spots’ series comes in response to new research commissioned by the food delivery service to better understand the experience of UK Muslims who are participating in Ramadan. According to the company, the findings revealed that 93% of those surveyed think that there should be more initiatives in place by brands and companies in the UK to raise awareness of Ramadan.
Running from 25 – 27 April, the ‘Sundown Spots’ will offer Uber Eats’ community of couriers and drivers an iftar dine-in experience, as well as a complimentary takeaway service for the wider community of delivery drivers who are observing Ramadan – regardless of which food delivery service they deliver with.
Uber Eats The first ‘Sundown Spot’ opens its doors on Monday 25 April at the food delivery services Halal partner restaurant Ayam Zaman in Shepherd’s Bush, London, and will be followed by takeovers at MyLahore restaurant in Birmingham and the Muslim Heritage Centre, Manchester.
BAFTA-nominated Muslim TV chef, Zuhair Hassan, known to many as Big Zuu, has also lent his support to the initiative, developing a signature dish, ‘Big Zuu’s Big Grill’ with the resident chefs at Ayam Zaman and will be on hand at the launch night too, serving meals and greeting diners.
“For me, Ramadan is a time to reset and reflect. Iftar is my favourite part of Ramadan, it feels like a pinnacle moment… you take a step back, realise where you are now, and where you’re meant to be heading… so I’m pleased to be partnering with Uber Eats on an initiative that is celebrating the significance of this moment,” said Big Zuu.
Uber Eats “It’s so important that Muslims are represented and feel seen and heard in modern Britain, not least during the most sacred month in the Islamic calendar, so it’s great to be able to highlight the fantastic food our culture has to offer.
“When it comes to opening fast, I’ll eat most things (apart from pork, of course!), sometimes I’ll cook but often I’ll treat myself to a meal out or takeaway, and when it’s time to celebrate Eid, for me that’s also centred around food – a nice dinner, surrounded by my closest friends or family.
“It’s important to remember that some people don’t always have family to cook for them, so food delivery services with Halal options like Uber Eats are really key to facilitating iftar for many fasters.”
Uber Eats Matthew Price, General Manager Uber Eats UK & Ireland, said: “Our Sundown Spots have been created to help facilitate opening fast for the many food delivery drivers and couriers observing Ramadan – and to recognise everything they are doing to keep the nation fed whilst fasting from dawn to sunset.
“We’re proud to be able to show our support with this initiative and it’s our ambition to build on it next year – and reach even more people who continue to ‘Bring It’ throughout Ramadan.”
Ramadan is also a month for giving, so for every halal meal ordered on Uber Eats throughout the holy month, the food ordering platform will donate a halal meal to its food distribution charity partner, City Harvest, which “works with a number of local Muslim charities and food banks, to ensure that as many people as possible are well-nourished during Ramadan and beyond.”
