Country Projects

The Global FoodBanking Network (GFN) currently works in 18 countries to either support existing food banks or collaborate with nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and/or governments to create them in communities where they are needed.

In general, our work in a country takes one of several forms:

  • Self-help model – GFN shares food banking concepts and helps in-country partners evaluate the feasibility of and most effective business model for implementation in their country. Delegates are often invited to attend our H-E-B/GFN Food Bank Leadership Institute for comprehensive training and exposure to various food banking models from around the world. We provide ongoing support through mentoring, both long distance and via occasional visits to the country. Most of our work follows this model.
  • Full-service model – GFN commits funding and staffing to develop and manage a food banking project within the country. This model usually requires a full-time staff and may or may not also entail part-time staff and contracted professionals. Given the significant resources needed, this model is used sparingly.
  • Funding support – GFN is occasionally approached by global or regional philanthropic entities to administer their grants to support food banking in multiple locations. These funding partners seek to leverage our understanding of and access to the global food banking community to maximize their contributions. 
  • Other support – GFN provides a wide range of support to individual food banks and food banking networks around the world, including training, assistance with food sourcing and mentoring to solve specific operational issues.