From family farm to national stage: Emirati entrepreneur named UAE Youth Agriculture Ambassador

Qadreya Al Awadhi, Founder and CEO of award-winning baby and kids' food brand Bumblebee Food, has been officially selected as a Youth Ambassador of Agriculture, an initiative empowering young leaders to help shape the future of the UAE's food systems, spearheaded by the UAE Federal Youth Authority with the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment.

In the role, Al Awadhi will work alongside government and private-sector leaders on youth-led research and community awareness campaigns supporting national food security goals, alongside educational sessions and field tours championing sustainable farming.

For Qadreya, the honour is personal. Long before "farm to freezer" became the philosophy printed across Bumblebee's packaging, it was simply how she grew up, learning on her family's farm what it takes to bring good food from soil to table. Under her guidance, Bumblebee has built its business around that same principle, prioritising local produce and clean-label manufacturing to deliver nutrient-dense meals for children, free of added sugars, salts and artificial preservatives.

As ambassador, she will advocate for innovations like vertical farming and localised supply chains, strengthening ties between UAE farmers and homegrown food businesses, and bringing the values she grew up with to a national stage.