ZAANDAM, Netherlands – Ahold Delhaize and The Global FoodBanking Network (GFN) are marking the one-year anniversary of their collaboration by renewing their partnership to advance food security and sustainability worldwide. Since joining forces last year, the companies have helped provide the equivalent of 2.9 million meals across more than 50 countries.
The initiative supports GFN’s efforts through training and technical assistance, knowledge sharing, capacity-building grants, and agricultural recovery partnerships—each aimed at strengthening local food banks and reducing food waste.
- Customized training and technical assistance: supporting food bank operations based on priority needs, fostering resilience, compliance, and sustainable growth.
- Knowledge sharing and peer network: facilitating the exchange of best practices, adaptable programs, and innovative approaches across borders.
- Capacity-building grants: fueling innovation and supporting growth in areas of efficiency, nutrition, and resilience.
- Agricultural recovery and sourcing partnerships: developing strategic sourcing partnerships across the supply chain to increase the distribution of nutritious foods, including the agricultural sector.
In addition to these efforts, the partnership has supported four local initiatives in various markets where Ahold Delhaize brands operate.
Local Impact Across Four Continents
- Greece: The Athens Central Grocery Market surplus program recovered more than 75,934 kilograms of produce from 29 vendors, reaching over 42,500 people through 87 charities.
- Romania: The Bucharest Food Bank’s new warehouse, opened in September 2024, now supports 57,500 people with expanded cold storage, energy-efficient systems, and 14 new donor contracts.
- Indonesia: SOS Bali Food Bank’s Healthy School Meals program has delivered 19,466 nutritious meals to 517 schoolchildren, while rescuing 3,550 kilograms of food from hotels, farms, and suppliers.
- United States: Feeding America’s Food Rescue Challenge, aiming to secure 5 billion pounds of rescued food annually, received support to strengthen investments and scale its impact nationwide.
Building Healthier Communities
The partnership is part of Ahold Delhaize’s Healthy Communities & Planet strategy, which links food security and food waste reduction to broader sustainability goals.
“We’re grateful for the strong and positive collaboration we’ve built with GFN over the past year, and excited to continue this collaboration,” said Alex Holt, Chief Sustainability Officer at Ahold Delhaize. “By amplifying the impactful work our local brands have been doing for years—supporting food banks, reducing food waste, and caring deeply for their local communities—we are pleased to strengthen that impact by partnering with GFN and combining expertise, commitment, and shared purpose to create lasting impact across communities.”
