Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Global FoodBanking Network Visit
The Global FoodBanking Network (GFN) recently held its second annual food banking training in San Antonio, Texas. This was an opportunity for food banks from around the world to come together to learn about the latest developments in food banking and to share their struggles and successes. GFN made a significant effort this year to meet the needs of the participants. At the end of each day they handed out a questionnaire and modified the following day’s curriculum based on the answers given by the participants. When it became apparent early in the week that participants wanted less explanation on the fundamentals of food banking and more opportunities to discuss, GFN responded by building in discussion time for each session.
Sixteen food bankers from ten different countries representing a range of different stages on the development spectrum participated in the training. Some food banks had been around for many years delivering several tons of food each day, while others were just beginning to develop a systematic means of picking up and delivering food. South Africa, to which GFN made a significant commitment by assigning two full time staff to the country, was making the transition from independent food relief operations to a national network of food banks. That country’s story was by far the most fascinating because representatives from the various food relief operations and the government were present. Each party had its own take on what was actually happening, the struggles being faced, and the very real challenge of balancing the needs and interests of the various stakeholders. It will be interesting to see how successful GFN will be in helping this transition happen.
As the GFN representative member for Asia, 2HJ played a role in getting a seat for the representative from the Philippines. Food banking there is in its early planning stages and it was very helpful for the country’s representative to meet representatives from countries with similar socio-economic challenges to learn how they have been able to develop food banking. The training visit was also an opportunity for 2HJ to continue to network and make contact with donor companies such as Kellogg and Procter & Gamble, which are GFN supporters. Procter & Gamble wants to start making donations in Asia and has looked to 2HJ to provide the leadership in the region.
H-E-B, the largest supermarket chain in Texas with stores also in Mexico, hosted the GFN training at its headquarters in 2007 and 2008. Walking around the grounds of the headquarters and talking with the employees imparts a sense of what a truly progressive company can look like. While it is committed to its bottom line, H-E-B is also committed to food banking and has put in place innovative programs to reach those in need, from purchasing a mobile kitchen (see photo) valued at over $1 million and capable of producing 25,000 meals an hour, to working closely with the company’s reclamation center to make sure that tons of food donations are sent to food banks in Texas and Mexico each day. On top of this, the company has fundraising programs that allow customers to directly give money to food banks.
When H-E-B contributes relief supplies to communities hit by crises or national disasters, this mobile kitchen provides on-site food preparation.
Training and networking opportunities like this are important for 2HJ. They help us understand that our struggles are shared by other food banks and that we can offer assistance to other food banks as they start operations in their own country.
RSS
Keep up to date with the latest news.