Country Projects: Guatemala

Overview

Guatemala has the fourth highest rate of chronic malnutrition in the world and the highest in Latin America and the Caribbean. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, nearly 50 percent of Guatemalan children under age five suffer from chronic undernutrition; in the highlands, where the indigenous population is concentrated, seven out of 10 children under age five are malnourished.

There is one food bank in Guatemala, in the capital of Guatemala City. In operation since 2005, the organization serves primarily the greater metropolitan area. Expansion plans include the use of additional distribution facilities in strategic locations throughout the country.

GFN’s Involvement

GFN has funded improvements in the infrastructure of the food bank’s warehouse and provided scholarships for the food bank’s leaders to attend the H-E-B / GFN Food Bank Leadership Institute for the past three years.