The Global Cold Chain Alliance (GCCA) and its foundation arm, the World Food Logistics Organization (WFLO), are proud to announce new initiatives to provide opportunities for food banks, food pantries, and those working within the food recovery community to connect with and glean valuable knowledge from experts in the perishable logistics industry.
One part of this initiative includes offering complimentary memberships to food banks andfood pantries. Membership with the association provides them access to resources on appropriate perishable commodity storage temperatures and handling, sanitary transportation, and warehouse and energy efficiency. They can also utilize the association’s Scientific Advisory Council, a panel of experts covering all technical needs of the temperature control industry. Membership also affords organizations the ability to connect with the hundreds of companies worldwide representing experts in refrigerated warehouses, transportation assets, and controlled environment construction.
GCCA has partnered with The Global FoodBanking Network (GFN) and Feeding America to amplify this initiative. Food banks acquire donated food, much of which would otherwise be wasted, from farms, manufacturers, distributors, retail stores, food drives , and other sources, making it available to people experiencing food insecurity through an established network of community agencies. GFN and Feeding America will work with GCCA to strengthen the relationship between companies handling and storing food and organizations redistributing it to those experiencing food insecurity, significantly reducing food waste. The membership offer is open to any and all food banks and food rescue groups globally.
To announce this initiative, WFLO’s Executive Director and Vice President of International Projects - Adam Thocher and Amanda Brondy - attended the Champions 12.3 Meeting, “Reducing Food Loss and Waste: A Vital Solution to the Food Crisis,” which was held immediately following the United Nation’s Food Systems Summit on September 23, 2022, in New York City. Champions 12.3 is a coalition of executives from governments, businesses, international organizations, research institutions, farmer groups, and civil society dedicated to inspiring ambition, mobilizing action, and accelerating progress toward achieving Sustainable Development Goal Target 12.3 by 2030, which aims to halve global per capita food waste.
“Each year, billions of pounds of food go to waste,” stated Matthew Ott, GCCA President & CEO. “One tool in the fight against global hunger is food banks as they have robust systems in place to capture surplus food and deliver it to the people who need it most, engaging all sectors of society, government, business and civil, in the process.”
To read more about this initiative and download a complimentary copy of GCCA’s Food Donation Guide, please visit the GCCA Website.