GCCA Launches Food Loss/Waste Initiative, Partnerships with Global FoodBanking Network & Feeding America

For Immediate Release

Arlington, VA (November 29, 2022) – 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.

Contact: Megan Costello, Executive Vice President & Chief of Staff, Global Cold Chain

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The Global FoodBanking Network

GFN supports community-led solutions to alleviate hunger through its Network of member food banks in nearly 50 countries and brings unparalleled experience linking food loss and waste reduction with improved food access. 

Feeding America

 Feeding America® is the largest hunger-relief organization in the United States. Through a network of more than 200 food banks, 21 statewide food bank associations, and over 60,000 partner agencies, food pantries and meal programs, we helped provide 6.6 billion meals to tens of millions of people in need last year. Feeding America also supports programs that prevent food waste and improve food security among the people we serve; brings attention to the social and systemic barriers that contribute to food insecurity in our nation; and advocates for legislation that protects people from going hungry. Visit www.feedingamerica.org, find us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.

GFN and Feeding America will work with GCCA to strengthen the relationship between companies handling and storing food and organizations redistributing it to people experiencing food insecurity, significantly reducing food waste.

Global Cold Chain Alliance

Comprised of its Core Partners, including the International Association of Refrigerated Warehouses (IARW), the World Food Logistics Organization (WFLO), the International Refrigerated Transportation Association (IRTA), and the Controlled Environment Building Association (CEBA), the Global Cold Chain Alliance (GCCA) represents all major industries engaged in temperature-controlled logistics. GCCA unites all partners to be innovative leaders in the temperature-controlled products industry.