Food Banks: The Building Blocks of Civil Society

Read the report: Food Banks: The Building Blocks of Society

This report was written by Halley Aldeen and published on August 19, 2025 utilizing data collected in 2022 by Halley Aldeen, Alyssa Ceretti, David Millar and Douglas O’Brien.

Food banks serve as a nucleus of community activity. They contribute to relief and recovery efforts, and they boost community well-being, specifically in the areas of education, health, job training, and economic mobility and potential.    

According to new data from GFN, food banks provide a social return on investment of US$4 to $7 for every dollar invested. The data comes from GFN members in four countries — Colombia, India, Kenya and Mexico — and suggests that the civil society agencies food banks partner with are able to invest significantly more into other core areas of work because of the food, training, and support provided by food banks.    

This first-of-its kind research project shines a light on the community-building effects of food banks across economic mobility, education, health, job training and more broadly, self-sufficiency and economic potential.  

Key findings

1. Food banks have a strong social return on investment. For every US$1 invested, food banks return between $4-7 in long-term social benefits.  
2. Food banks are critical partners for community agencies: 92% of surveyed agencies agree that food banks are among their most important partners, and 88% say losing food bank support would have a damaging impact on their services. 
3. Food banks have a significant economic impact: On average, agencies save US$139,000 annually thanks to food bank partnerships, allowing them to serve an extra 2,772 people each year. 
4. Food banks provide diverse community services: Beyond food distribution, agencies offer programs like health services, job training, education, and shelters, addressing both immediate needs and root causes of hunger. 
5. Food banks provide environmental benefits: Food banks mitigate an estimated 1.8 billion kilograms of CO₂e annually by rescuing surplus food that would otherwise go to landfill.  

Community Impact Case Studies