Abstract The outbreak of COVID-19, popularly known as the coronavirus, has had a major impact on the global economy because of the containment measures that the World Health Organization has proposed. The limited movement and physical interaction of people have crippled many businesses, including those in the food industry. The supply chain has been significantly affected. The guiding question in the study was to determine how players in the food industry can manage challenges in the supply chain to ensure that their operations are sustainable. The aim of the study is to propose ways in which individual businesses in the country can maintain a steady supply of items they need despite the effect of the pandemic. The researcher collected data from both primary and secondary sources. Mixed method research was considered most appropriate for the study. The outcome of the study shows that supply chain in the food industry has been significantly affected by the pandemic. It is crucial for players in this industry to find ways of dealing with these challenges to ensure that their operations remain sustainable. The government also has a role to play in protecting this industry during this period. Introduction The food industry is one of the most sensitive sectors in the economy of any country. In the United Arab Emirates, the sector has transformed significantly over the past decades as the government continues to invest in the agricultural sector to reduce the country’s reliance on imported products. According to Metcalfe (2019), the UAE no longer relies on imported vegetables to feed its population. Despite these initiatives, it still relies on imported food products such as rice and other cereals to sustain its people. The movement of food items across the border has been significantly affected by the global outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic. It is essential to note that the UAE is not the only nation that is affected by this pandemic. The problem is global in nature and almost every country is struggling to protect the food industry. The impact that the pandemic has had on the transport sector has crippled the supply chain in the food industry. Erokhin and Gao (2020) explain that although the movement of essential products such as food items has received the support of governments around the world, numerous Covid-19 related challenges have hampered normal operations in the industry. Many hotels and restaurants across the country are closed, and some farmers are forced to dispose of the products, especially those who supply perishables such as vegetables, fruits, and milk. In this paper, the primary focus is to discuss supply chain management challenges of the food industry during the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Literature Review The previous chapter has provided background information of the topic. In this chapter, the focus is to review related works conducted by other scholars. Food industry is one of the main pillars of economy in the United Arab Emirates. According to Balasubramanian (2020), the United Arab Emirates has emerged as one of the leading global tourists’ destination. The growth of the tourism industry has enhanced the development of food industry, especially in the Emirate of Dubai. When the corona virus pandemic struck, the country