Tokyo, Japan (August 25, 2026) — The Global FoodBanking Network (GFN) and the World Instant Noodles Association (WINA), a nonprofit organization that promotes the development of the instant noodle industry, are partnering to strengthen food banks worldwide by increasing access to food, supporting disaster response and everyday hunger relief, reducing food loss and waste, and fostering long-term collaboration between WINA member companies and GFN’s global network of food banks.
Access to nutritious food remains a pressing challenge in many parts of the world, and this is especially true during times of emergencies. At the same time, much nutritious food goes to waste across the supply chain.
Agreements with organizations like WINA play a vital role in enabling food banks to recover and distribute food to people facing hunger. Combining WINA’s industry network with GFN’s network creates a significant impact for vulnerable communities. Instant noodles can play an important role in food assistance because they are shelf-stable, easy to transport and store, and can be distributed quickly during disaster response or other humanitarian situations. They also provide a practical food option for families facing temporary food shortages while longer-term support systems are mobilized.
The scope of the partnership includes not only food assistance during natural disasters and emergencies and support for regular food bank operations but also sharing knowledge and best practices and supporting food banks through donations and collaborative initiatives.
“We look forward to working with WINA and its member companies to expand food donations, strengthen disaster preparedness across our network and develop sustainable solutions that reduce food loss while improving food access for vulnerable communities,” said Lisa Moon, president and CEO of The Global FoodBanking Network. “Together, we can help ensure that surplus food reaches those who need it most, creating a more resilient and equitable food system.”
The collaboration between GFN and WINA will create opportunities for future engagement across multiple regions. This partnership also provides avenues for WINA member companies to work directly with food banks in countries where both organizations have a presence.
“Since WINA became a general incorporated association in 2025, we have been working to expand the reach of our support to regions and people who have not received sufficient assistance in the past,” said Mr. Koki Ando, chairman of WINA, president and representative director, CEO of Nissin Foods Holdings Co., Ltd.
“Under the theme of WINA DAY 2026, ‘Sharing is Caring with Instant Noodles’, we are pleased to advance our collaboration with GFN, which has an extensive international food banking network. This initiative goes beyond food assistance alone. It is an important step toward enabling our member companies and the instant noodle industry as a whole to contribute to addressing social challenges through food.”
Food banking offers a solution to both chronic hunger and the climate crisis. GFN supports partners in more than 50 countries to redirect surplus, healthy food to those who need it. In 2025, our network provided food to more than 40.5 million people. We help the food system function as it should: nourishing people and the planet together. Learn more at foodbanking.org.
The World Instant Noodles Association (WINA) is a global industry association founded in 1997 to promote quality improvement and the responsible growth of the instant noodle industry, while contributing to food culture around the world. WINA comprises 104 member companies and organizations from 20 countries and regions.
WINA shares information of common interest across the industry to help ensure that consumers can enjoy instant noodles safely and with confidence. In addition to its ongoing activities, WINA organizes meetings and events that facilitate the exchange of knowledge and best practices among members, promotes quality improvement across the industry, and advances social contribution initiatives through instant noodles.
Website: https://instantnoodles.org/en/
