Brambles teams up with Global FoodBanking Network to alleviate hunger

Brambles Group, a logistics solutions company headquartered in Sydney, Australia, signed a three-year agreement with the Chicago-based Global FoodBanking Network (GFN). Brambles, which operates in 60 countries primarily through the CHEP and IFCO brands, will provide supply chain knowledge, in-kind contributions, volunteers and donations to help finance GFN operations in an effort to reduce hunger, poverty, malnutrition and food waste globally, GFN said.

The agreement comes as the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) reports that the value of food lost or wasted annually around the globe –– some one-third of the food produced or 1.3 billion metric tons –– amounts to roughly $680 billion in industrialized countries and $310 billion in developing countries. At the same time, nearly 800 million people suffer from hunger every day, GFN stated.

“We are honored to partner with Brambles to leverage its expertise, products and leadership to help drive efficiency and scale in food banks around the world,” said Lisa Moon, GFN’s president and CEO.

Last year, food banks within GFN’s network distributed 421,840 metric tons of food to 6.8 million people in partnership with 27,000 charitable organizations and social centers, GFN stated. The GFN network consists of 792 food banks located in 32 countries.

“Brambles is highly committed to deliver sustainable value in the communities where we operate,” said Brambles CEO Tom Gorman in a statement. “Food banks are a great example of that. Our new relationship with GFN builds on our multiyear engagement working with our customers to support food banks around the world.”

Gorman noted that Brambles’ efforts to expand both the capacity and the capabilities of GFN to address hunger is an important part of the international company’s approach to addressing food security.

“We are focused on reducing post-harvest food loss, improving the ability of small holder farmers to access modern packaging that protects the integrity of the product and enhances food safety,” Gorman added.