KarunaNews Story

In 2023, member organizations of the Global Foodbanking Network -- a nonprofit that works with regional food banks in more than 50 countries -- provided 1.7 billion meals to more than 40 million people, mitigating 1.8 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent. Many of GFN’s member organizations are working to rescue food from farmers. Some use tech platforms to match farmers and beneficiaries -- “virtual food banking”. Fruit and vegetables now make up 40% of food redistributed by GFN members by volume. Roughly one-third of food produced globally is never eaten. Furthermore, food rotting in landfills emits methane, a greenhouse gas that is much more potent than CO2. Globally, food loss and waste are estimated to be responsible for 8-10% of greenhouse gas emissions.