The Global FoodBanking Network

TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND CAPACITY BUILDING: GFN provides capability-building services through subject matter experts, peer-to-peer knowledge sharing and partner engagement and aligns these knowledge services with catalytic financing, with an aim of accelerating food bank social and environmental impact and effectiveness. The focus for knowledge services is determined through organizational assessment, and food banking members pursue a multiyear plan to increase organizational effectiveness in targeted ways. GFN provided knowledge resources through a variety of pathways in FY2025, including: Re-starting the rigorous, standards-based Certification Process; one-to-one advisory services conducted virtually and in person; training and experience-sharing at a regional meeting held in Accra, Ghana; subject-focused webinars; and Fellowship Exchanges among food banks. Common areas for capability building include food safety, logistics and supply chain efficiencies, product sourcing, nonprofit fundraising, governance, and data collection and decision-making. GFN PROVIDES SERVICES TO ALL NETWORK MEMBERS BUT OFFERS CONCENTRATED SUPPORT IN MARKETS THAT ARE DISPROPORTIONATELY AFFECTED BY HUNGER AND ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGES. Across the network in FY2025, nine of the 10 food banks that had the largest increases in people served year-over-year came from emerging and developing markets.

ACCELERATOR: GFN's Food Bank Accelerator program empowers new food banks to learn from other food banks, expand services and establish credibility through a cohort approach over three years. The program provides technical and financial support, mentoring, peer-to-peer connections and Fellowship Exchanges, and partnership opportunities that might otherwise be unavailable to partners establishing operations in areas where the food banking model is relatively unknown. Currently, the Accelerator supports two cohorts. The newest cohort consists of three food banks in Southeast Asia (Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines) and five food banks in Africa (Cote D'Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Madagascar and Mauritius). Together, that cohort increased the number of people reached by 20% in 2024.