World Food Day Inspires Activity Around the GFN Network

GFN and our member networks rallied around World Food Day (October 16), leveraging the annual United Nations-designated occasion to create greater awareness of world hunger and the importance of food banking as a solution. Media coverage put the spotlight on GFN and the need for food banking to help alleviate hunger and reduce food waste. Around the world, food banks organized hunger marches, held food drives, and took to social media to spread the word about this issue and the need for global and local action.

GFN “In the News” On World Food Day

During the week, Jeff Klein, GFN President and CEO, was interviewed by national and Chicago media including Forbes.com, WGN-TV, Crains Chicago Business, and the Daily Herald.

• Forbes.com – read the story
• WGN-TV – watch the segment

Jeff also joined a high profile group of thought leaders at the Norman E. Borlaug International Symposium held in conjunction with the annual World Food Prize. There, he participated in a panel discussion on the topic of post-harvest loss and food waste, and the role food banks play in redirecting perfectly safe and nutritious food to the hungry.

We are thankful to The Wall Street Journal Office Network for featuring a series of digital ads that educated about hunger and motivated viewers to help GFN feed those in need. The ads ran for three weeks in lobbies of premier office buildings across the United States. Learn More

Food Banks Around the World Mark World Food Day

India Holds First FoodDrive Challenge

The India FoodBanking Network and the Delhi Food Bank organized a weeklong “FoodDrive Challenge,” the first major food drive effort for the food bank that started operations earlier this year. The food drive engaged local volunteers and employees of private sector businesses to collect food in neighborhoods and workplaces.

Cargill was recognized for collecting the most food and raising the most funds to support the food bank. Sodexo was recognized for the “best fun activity.” Both companies are major supporters of food banks around the world, contributing volunteers, funding, and food.

South Africa Gets "Noughty"

FoodBank South Africa marked World Food Day with a  “Noughty Party” - a virtual "non-party" designed to raise funds for the national food bank network. Guests spent nought (nothing) on their outfits and transportation; the food bank spent nought on event costs; and, instead, 100% of the revenue went to support those with nought to eat.

Watch an interview with FoodBank South Africa's Keri Uys on South Africa’s Expresso Show

Canada Hosts #hunger Twitter Chat

Food Banks Canada held a series of #hunger Twitter Chats to raise awareness about hunger and share ways people can support their local food banks. The chat was hosted by Social Media Women (@shesconnected) and prizes were provided by Walmart Canada.

See the conversation and learn more

Additional World Food Day Media Coverage

• Israel – Israeli NGOs combating hunger on World Food Day – The Jerusalem Post Oct. 17, 2012
• United Kingdom – World Food Day: Tackling hunger in Britain – The Independent Blogs Oct. 16, 2012. Written by FareShare Chief Executive  Lindsay Boswell
• Australia – Foodbank Australia announces collaboration with Dietitians Association of Australia

Argentina Adds "One More to the Table"

GFN member Red Argentina de los Bancos de Alimentos held its 10th annual national food drive marking World Food Day. The “Sumá +1 a tu mesa” campaign asked shoppers to “add one more to your table” by donating food at supermarkets in 17 cities throughout the country. In total, more than 17,000 kilos of food was collected to help hungry Argentineans.

Learn more and watch the video about the national food drive (Spanish)

Jordan Marches Against Hunger

The Jordanian Food Bank organized a march against hunger with the theme “Together… Against Hunger.” The march raised awareness about hunger and the food bank’s efforts to work with restaurants, hotels, and food companies to reduce waste and deliver food to hungry people.

See more pictures from the event on Jordanian Food Bank’s facebook page

A Special Thank You to the Kellogg Company

Tony The Tiger and friends present a check from The Kellogg Corporate Citizenship Fund for US$125,000 to Banco de Alimentos Guatemala.

The Kellogg Company is a Founding Partner of The Global FoodBanking Network and donates more than US$20 million worth of food products for hunger relief annually. Kellogg supported World Food Day 2012 in a variety of ways.

• Kellogg’s Corporate Citizenship Fund donated US$125,000 in cash and product to food banks in Latin America.
• Kellogg employees volunteered at food banks in Mexico, Colombia, and Guatemala.
• Through the Kellogg’s Feedback Challenge, the company continued to donate $5 to GFN for every message received with feedback on their Corporate Responsibility Report.
• Kellogg employees volunteered at community food banks throughout the United States.

Learn More