Annual data from 2023 was collected from 54
food banks spanning 45 countries that are part of The Global
FoodBanking Network*
CHICAGO, July 31,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Food banks are reaching more
people, recovering more food and grocery products, and finding
innovative ways to address hunger and contribute to climate change
mitigation, according to annual data on the activities of The
Global FoodBanking Network (GFN).
Food banks around the world provided food
to 40+ million people in 2023 & delivered the equivalent of
1.7 billion meals.
The data finds that 54 food banks in GFN's network provided food
to over 40 million people in 2023, 10 million more than in 2022,
while delivering 654 million kilograms of food and grocery
products, or the equivalent of 1.7 billion meals. The increase in
people served was driven by food banks ongoing efforts to expand
food access as well by crises that are keeping global hunger rates
high, like climate change-related disasters and civil conflict.
The new data comes in light of the United Nations' State of
Food Security and Nutrition in the World report, which was
launched last week and shows that hunger rates failed to decrease
for a third straight year and are still well above pre-pandemic
levels.
"Food banks continue to expand food access to those who are most
in need, as hundreds of millions of people continue to face chronic
hunger, even three years after the pandemic first kicked in. Food
banks across our network are finding new ways to adapt to emerging
shocks, proving to be a tested model to respond to food insecurity
and reduce food waste," said Lisa
Moon, president and CEO of The Global FoodBanking Network.
"Once again, we see that investing in community organizations leads
to innovation and creative solutions. Food banks aren't just
feeding people; they're building stronger, more resilient
communities."
While the cost of a healthy diet has increased every year since
2017, food banks once again saw the nutritional quality of the food
they distributed increase in 2023, with nearly 60% of all food
distributed falling in the nutritious category (nutritious products
include fruits, vegetables, grains, legumes, seeds, nuts, dairy and
other animal protein). Food banks achieved this level by expanding
their partnerships with farmers to recover surplus produce from
their agricultural land. Agricultural recovery across the
Network increased by 35% in 2023, with notable progress in
Kenya, Honduras, and the
Philippines.
Food banks recovery efforts – from farms, food manufacturers,
supermarkets, restaurants, and hotels – help reduce food loss and
waste, which helps to mitigate emissions, especially potent methane
emissions. By recovering safe, wholesome food before it ends up in
a landfill, food banks mitigated an estimated 1.8 million metric
tons of CO2e in 2023, or the equivalent of removing 400,000 cars
from the road in a year.
The new data also shows that The Global FoodBanking Network's
focus on its Accelerator program, which provides targeted
training and support to nascent food banks, has been tremendously
successful in regions with persistently high rates of food
insecurity. Between 2019 and 2023, nine Accelerator food
bank members in sub-Saharan Africa increased the amount of food and
grocery products provided from 87,000 kilograms to 1.2 million
kilograms. In Southeast Asia, nine
Accelerator food banks served 14 million people in 2023, up
from 687,000 in 2019, the year of the program's inception.
"As a member of GFN's Accelerator program, Food Bank Vietnam has
made remarkable progress. We've established and expanded 12
community food banks, aiming for 20 nationwide by the end of 2024,"
said Food Bank Vietnam CEO, Jolie
Nguyen. "These efforts bolster our capacity for sustainable
food operations, enhancing community resilience by supporting over
18 million kilograms of food (counted by 2023) and reducing food
waste across Vietnam."
Interest in the food banking model continues to grow globally:
by the end of 2023, the Network included 63 organizations in 54
countries, up from 54 organizations in 44 countries the year
before.
To arrange an interview with The GlobalFoodbanking Network
and speak to or visit one of our food bank partners, please contact
James Fredrick,
jfredrick@foodbanking.org, +1(872)213-1245
ABOUT THE GLOBAL FOODBANKING NETWORK
Food banking offers a solution to both chronic hunger and the
climate crisis. GFN works with partners in over 50 countries to
redirect surplus, healthy food to those who need it. In 2023, our
network provided food to more than 40 million people, reducing food
waste and creating healthy, resilient communities. We help the food
system function as it should: nourishing people and the planet
together. Learn more at foodbanking.org.
*Data comes only from food banking organizations that are
members of the Global FoodBanking Network and does not include data
from GFN counterpart in the United
States, Feeding America, or the European Food Banks
Federation.
Media Contact
James
Fredrick
Associate Director, Media Relations & Strategy
jfredrick@foodbanking.org
+1(872)213-1245
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SOURCE The Global FoodBanking Network