Location
Over 50 countries, primarily emerging and developing economies
Stakeholders involved
The Global FoodBanking Network (GFN), food retailers and manufacturers, farmers, multinational corporations, government agencies, multilateral institutions, agribusinesses, trade associations and NGOs
Lead organization
Scale
GFN brings together food banks across more than 50 countries, partnering with local leaders as they support healthy and resilient communities. Preventing just half of all global food losses and redirecting it for hunger relief could feed 1 billion more people. With an estimated 1.2 billion tonnes of fruits and vegetables lost at the farm level worldwide, redirecting surplus produce is one of the most cost-effective ways to increase access to nutritious food and reduce waste.
billion more people
billion tonnes of fruits and vegetables lost at the farm level worldwide
Co-investment model
Food banks work with private sector partners to procure surplus food and spur knowledge sharing, data collection and financial support to expand and scale their impact. GFN supports food banks by mobilizing catalytic funding that can enhance infrastructure, cold storage, transportation and technical assistance and training, and thus accelerate their ability to recover and redistribute surplus food. Its food recovery model generates economic value by reducing waste disposal costs and enabling companies to report avoided scope 3 emissions. GFN’s new FRAME methodology provides verifiable data that enhances transparency and builds investor confidence. In turn, companies benefit from cost savings on waste disposal and improved inventory turnover; reduced scope 3 emissions and FRAME-aligned environmental, social and governance (ESG) reporting; and access to reputational gains and circular economy impact.
Impact
million people
million kilograms of food
million metric tons of CO2e emissions
In 2024, GFN reached more than 38 million people, providing 654 million kilograms of food and preventing 1.9 billion metric tons of CO2e emissions through food recovery and distribution – the equivalent of taking 391,000 cars off the road over one year.
Over the past decade, GFN has expanded its reach five-fold, going from providing food to 6.7 million people to 41 million people, while adding 30 food banking organizations to the network. With additional investments, GFN’s network can reach its North Star goal of supporting 50 million people annually with food access.
GFN food banks are already preventing 1.9 billion metric tons of CO2e emissions through food recovery and distribution, and there is opportunity to exponentially increase this impact.
Levers and enablers
Leveraging philanthropic capital, carbon market potential and blended finance strategies helps de-risk investment and strengthen early-stage food banks. Analysis in 24 countries shows how food donation policy helps incentivize food donation. Advising countries on food loss and waste opportunities through its FRAME methodology supports food banks and food providers, and helps countries include food waste reduction in their nationally determined contributions and national climate plans. Over one-third of GFN member food banks use apps and similar technology to collect and analyze trends in food loss, collection and distribution opportunities.
countries shows how food donation policy helps incentivize food donation
Barriers
Food banks face multiple barriers, including volatile conditions due to the uneven recovery from the COVID pandemic, ongoing high food prices, supply chain disruptions and cuts in overseas humanitarian assistance. Many of these challenges are also causing a surge in demand for food bank services, at a time when they are facing increased financial pressure. Constraints also include limited access to early-stage capital in emerging markets, the need for blended finance and results-based funding to de-risk investment, and complex governance structures and regulatory uncertainties. A multifaceted stakeholder landscape is continually a challenge.
Lessons for scaling
- Ensure strong systems to support, strengthen and expand food banks to other regions, including through technical guidance and knowledge sharing, catalytic investments, unlocking partnerships and sparking innovation;
- Build strong, trusted partnerships with local and multinational corporate partners and dedicated, multiyear philanthropic financial support;
- Ensure appropriate government policy frameworks and interventions are consistent with food banks and spur policies aligned with food loss and waste reductions;
- Find highly motivated and committed local leaders who provide vision, direction and stability for food banks, with deep connections to the local culture;
- Commit to stakeholder coordination among governments, businesses and civil society to align and scale food recovery and redistribution.
