Etihad inks deal for inflight organic food service

Etihad Airways has announced an exclusive partnership with Abu Dhabi Organics Farms to supply fresh organic produce for its inflight First Class dining menus.

The airline said it will be sourcing fresh organic produce daily from the farm, which follows best practice of sustainable farming.

A range of fresh food products, from eggs to vegetables to honey, will be served onboard, the Abu Dhabi-based carrier said in a statement.

Etihad's First Class chefs will begin to incorporate these fresh ingredients in their onboard service with plans to roll out the farm-to-table concept across all cabin classes in the future.

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 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.

Al Shamsi said: "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, added: "Etihad Airways has always stressed the importance of partnering with local companies and we are proud to support organisations such as the Abu Dhabi Organics Farms as part of our 'Product of the UAE' initiative to bring local products to the world."

Last October, Etihad Airways launched its five-star restaurant food service onboard their planes after recruiting international chefs.