GFN Spotlight 2024

In 2024, GFN member food banks provided food and services to 38 million people across 46 countries.
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In an era of ongoing uncertainty and disruptions,
food banks prove to be resilient, dynamic organizations that support communities around the globe

TIDER Staff Sidika Ulucan and Gazi Çapar load Ramadan food boxes into their delivery truck outside the warehouse in Adiyaman, Türkiye.

Food banks are a vital lifeline for millions around the world, not only for food assistance but for health services, vocational training, nutrition education, social support and so much more. In 2024, in the face of economic crisis, natural disaster, and conflict, food banks in The Global FoodBanking Network served millions of people when they needed it most.

O GFN Spotlight 2024 draws on data from 55 food banking organizations across 46 countries[1] in The Global FoodBanking Network to provide a look at developments and innovations in food banking, spotlights on members’ achievements, and a glimpse at increasing food security challenges in 2025.

[1] Does not include data from partner organizations, Feeding America (U.S.A) and the European Federation of Food Banks. Members of GFN’s New Food Bank Development Program and members who joined in 2024-2025 do not submit data.

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“In the face of so many global challenges, food banks across the globe are navigating complex supply chains to recover more food — preventing the harmful environmental effects of food waste — and are adapting their distribution models to meet the distinct needs of dense urban cities, remote rural areas and communities of every size in between.”

Lisa Lua
CEO & President
A Rede Global de FoodBanking

Responding to demand, food banks increased distribution 17% to near record highs

In 2024, the network distributed 762 million kilograms of food, the highest such figure outside of COVID-19 (when demand was exceptionally high).

In Zinacantán, Mexico, Juana Gabriela de la Cruzs serves a traditional chicken soup to her family. She receives food parcels from Bancos de Alimentos de México (BAMX) San Cristobal de las Casas. The food bank supports approximately 17,000 people in Zinacantán, the majority of which are indigenous Mayans who live in highlands with mountains, volcanic outcroppings, and valley lowlands. (Photo: The Global FoodBanking Network/Luis Antonio Rojas)

Responding to demand, food banks increased distribution 17% to near record highs

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In 2024 . . .

  • The network served 38 million people

  • 38% of people served were children

  • Many food banks increased service through expanded school feeding programs and geographic expansion


Every year, more food banks are recovering fresh fruits and vegetables directly from farms and produce markets

13% of all food grown on farms is lost – that's millions of tons of highly nutritious food that can be redistributed to people facing food insecurity. In 2024, 35 food bank members, or 65% of the network, recovered fresh produce from farms, pack houses and produce markets.

In Abeookuta, Nigeria, Daniel and Justina recover oranges from a local farmer who donates surplus produce to Lagos Food Bank Initiative. (Photo: The Global FoodBanking Network/Julius Ogundiran)

Every year, more food banks are recovering fresh fruits and vegetables directly from farms and produce markets

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It’s not just agriculture — food banks are adapting to shifting supply chains to recover more food before it goes to waste. In 2024, GFN members recovered. . .

  • 32% of food from retailers(supermarkets, convenience stores).

  • 28% from agriculture

  • 27% from manufacturers (mills, plants, factories)

Food banks kept 512 million kilograms of food out of landfills

Rotting food produces methane, a potent gas that has more than 80x stronger global warming effects than CO2. By recovering food before it ends up in landfill, food banks are key actors for protecting our planet and natural resources.

Ping, a food rescue ambassador for Scholars of Sustenance Thailand, picks up donations of excess food from local businesses in Bangkok. (Phot: The Global FoodBanking Network/Lauren DeCicca)

Food banks kept 512 million kilograms of food out of landfills

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GFN’s FRAME Methodology allows food bank to precisely measure their net emissions mitigation.

  • Food banks in Mexico and Ecuador successfully piloted the methodology in 2024 .

  • Food banks in an additional 8 countries are implementing the methodology in 2025.

The most common food people receive at food banks: fruits and vegetables

In 2024, fruits and vegetables accounted for 41% of all food distributed by the network — the largest single product category, an increase of 15% over the previous year.

In Colombia, two girls pick up a fresh pineapple from a selection of fresh fruit and vegetables. The produce was provided by Asociación de Bancos de Alimentos de Colombia's agricultural recovery program. (Photo: Asociación de Bancos de Alimentos de Colombia ABACO)

The most common food people receive at food banks: fruits and vegetables

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In 2024, 58% of all food delivered by the network was considered nutritious.

  • The amount of nutritious food distributed increased 13% last year to 329 million kilograms.

  • “Nutritious” includes fruits & vegetables, seeds, nuts, grains, legumes, dairy and animal protein.

  • Nutrition is key for food banks: 49% of members have a nutritionist on staff to ensure people receive well-balanced food.

Uniting Communities

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Food banks not only serve their communities — they’re powered by them. Across 46 countries, 436,000 people volunteered at food banks in 2024, a 40% increase over the previous year.

And food banks in the network partnered with nearly 60,000 community service partners, delivering food to places like food pantries, soup kitchens, homeless shelters, orphanages, schools and after-school programs to make sure their communities can thrive.

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Across six continents, in 46 countries, we’re powering community-led solutions to alleviate hunger and reduce food loss and waste.

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Impacto em ação

Índia

No Food Waste India (NWF) distributed 7.5 million kilograms of food to 3.2 million people in 2024, almost double the previous year, by opening new branches, increasing agricultural recovery and the expansion of their role in a state government-led school feeding program.

Through the school feeding program, NFW provides food for students in more than 1,000 schools in southern India.

Etiópia

In the midst of devastating food insecurity, famine and foreign aid cuts, It Rains Food Bank of Ethiopia launched its agricultural recovery program, bringing in 60,000 kilograms of fresh fruits and vegetables, driving distribution up by 60% year-on-year.

Now working with large commercial farms, the food bank has access to an abundance of nutritious food, meaning that 99% of the food they distribute to people is considered “nutritious,” the highest such figure in the network.

Argentina

In the midst of an economic crisis and social services cutbacks, Bancos de Alimentos Argentina, a network of 20 food banks, increased distribution 37% to meet higher demand.

Much of the growth was driven by agricultural recovery — the network more than tripled fresh fruit and vegetable recovery to 6.6 million kilograms in 2024.
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