Global hunger is a challenge that requires a united effort, it should not just be the responsibility of one person or organization. Yet, for some, relying on one organization — say, a food bank — is their only option. With hunger continuously on the rise, food banks carry the needs of communities on their backs, and tend to be the unsung and undersupported heroes of the hunger crisis.
Tanaporn (Fai) Oi-isaranukul, Director of Thailand Operations at a food bank called Scholars of Sustenance, emphasized the need for a collective push to address global hunger, stating, "As the challenges we face are far too great for any individual or single country to solve alone... we can learn from one another and adapt best practices to suit different regions around the world."
This sentiment resonates strongly in the context of global hunger, where 735 million people face acute hunger despite there being enough food to feed everyone, particularly in crisis hotspots like Sudan, Yemen, and Haiti. A broken food system is at the heart of this issue, with one-third of global food production wasted or lost, further worsening food insecurity and contributing to climate change. Solving global hunger and transforming our current food system into one that is sustainable and accessible to all is a monumental task. It cannot be accomplished by any single organization or entity. Instead, it demands a united global effort with collaboration among non-profit organizations, governments, multilateral agencies, companies, and civil society organizations to make a difference.
Food banks, like the one Oi-isaranukul works for, play a crucial role in addressing this issue by collecting food donations that would have otherwise been wasted from large manufacturers, supermarket chains, farmers, schools, churches, and individuals. They then distribute this extra food to networks of community-based organizations, which then provide it to people who are experiencing hunger.
A truck driver prepares for the day's food recovery operation at Scholars of Sustenance (SOS) Thailand in Bangkok.
Oi-isaranukul has witnessed the impact the food bank has had in tackling hunger and food waste in Thailand for the past eight years.
“Witnessing the increased awareness of food loss and waste among the Thai people has been amazing. Initially, it was challenging to find recipients for surplus food donations due to cultural beliefs, but now, businesses, private sectors, and even government agencies support food rescue efforts," she told Global Citizen. “The best part is working with passionate individuals, including our Food Rescue Ambassadors, community and partnership teams, food donors, and founders, who bring value to imperfect food and demonstrate that the impact of our work truly makes a difference in society."
Food banks go beyond providing immediate relief; they also help build sustainable food systems. They promote food security, reduce food loss and waste, respond to crises and emergencies, and work to combat child hunger.
The work of Banque Alimentaire de Madagascar (BAM) has made a significant difference in the lives of individuals and families experiencing food insecurity in Madagascar since its inception in 2018. Ieja Ranaivoniarivo, a Business Management and Partnership Manager at the food bank, has seen first-hand community response to their work.
"The response from the communities has been overwhelmingly positive. One memorable story comes from a mother in the Androy region, who expressed how the food parcels provided by Banque Alimentaire de Madagascar saved her family during a particularly harsh drought season. She fed her children consistently for the first time in months, bringing a sense of hope and relief during severe hardship," she told us.
In 2023, members of The Global Food Banking Network (GFN) provided over 1.7 billion meals to more than 40 million people experiencing hunger — and indicator of just how necessary these entities are globally.
The growing demand for food banks is driven by the economic stagnation, high inflation, conflict and disasters worldwide. They serve as an essential lifeline for people facing the harsh realities of poverty, hunger, and financial hardship. However, food banks have been under significant pressure from disruptions in the supply chain, the cost of living crisis, and other emergencies. These challenges have never been more apparent for Oi-isaranukul's organisation.
When asked about the challenges faced in running a food bank in Thailand, Oi-isaranukul shared: "Thailand, while being a major producer and exporter of food to the world, still faces food insecurity among its citizens. Currently, our biggest challenge lies in securing funding and obtaining regulatory support from the government. As you may know, Thailand has no laws or legislation specifically supporting food donors or organizations like food banks and food rescue operations. Scholars of Sustenance is a non-profit organization that relies heavily on donations and grants. Unfortunately, most grants don't cover staff salaries or vehicle costs, making it hard to keep operations running smoothly.”
In response to the global challenges faced by food banks and the wider issue of tackling global hunger, Ranaivoniarivo also emphasized the crucial role of governments in addressing the root causes of hunger. Beyond food distribution, she added, they must tackle the systemic issues contributing to food insecurity. "On a global scale, governments need to promote food sovereignty — ensuring that people can produce, access, and control their food supply. By integrating social, economic, and environmental policies, we can create a comprehensive framework that tackles global hunger in a more holistic and sustainable way."
While food banks play a vital role in alleviating hunger and food insecurity, they face mounting challenges that threaten their sustainability. The lack of support and funding constraints highlight the need for comprehensive policies that not only address immediate hunger relief but also target the root causes of food insecurity. It is clear that the fight against hunger requires a collaborative approach involving governments, organizations, and communities to ensure long-term solutions that go beyond food distribution.
Right now hunger levels are increasing at an unprecedented rate, and we need to take collective action to tackle the issue at the core — by calling on world leader's to place agriculture adaptation, food security, and support for grassroots hunger organizations at the top of their agendas. Join global citizens around the world and take action with us to call for an end to hunger now.