Every day over 1 billion meals find their way into trash cans around the world. Yet at the same time around 733 million people don't have enough to eat.
The answer to both of those problems, experts say, could be food banks, or community-based organizations which collect donations of surplus food from individuals and companies, and share them with hungry people. And though use of food banks skyrocketed with the COVID-19 pandemic and remains high, experts say they’re still underutilized.
Better redistribution of existing food via food banks could eliminate food waste and greenhouse gas emissions while bolstering food security, said Lisa Moon, president and CEO of The Global FoodBanking Network, or GFN, a nonprofit that supports food banks in over 50 countries.
About the author
Rebecca L. Root
Rebecca L. Root is a freelance reporter for Devex based in Bangkok. Previously senior associate & reporter, she produced news stories, video, and podcasts as well as partnership content. She has a background in finance, travel, and global development journalism and has written for a variety of publications while living and working in Bangkok, New York, London, and Barcelona.
