UN International Food Loss & Waste Day: Utilize Cold Chain to Cut Global Food Waste

The Global Cold Chain Alliance (GCCA) has called on governments and development agencies to support and facilitate the establishment and expansion of cold chain networks in emerging markets, which would be crucial for making progress in tackling global food loss and waste.

The GCCA’s call comes as the United Nations International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste is observed at a UN global virtual event today (27^th September 2024). Better access to an effective cold chain – the temperature-controlled storage and distribution of food and pharmaceuticals – could prevent nearly half of global food waste, according to a University of Michigan report published earlier this year.

GCCA represents temperature-controlled logistics operators around the world. GCCA’s non-profit international development and educational activities arm, the Global Cold Chain Foundation, conducts a range of programs including projects that support emerging cold chains in emerging markets. Current projects include a West Africa emerging markets program and technical assistance for post-harvest facilities in India.

Sara Stickler, President and CEO of the Global Cold Chain Alliance and the Global Cold Chain Foundation, said, “Effective cold chains make a transformative difference in tackling post-harvest food waste and loss. Cold chains are fundamental to food supply chain resilience in a world with fast-changing populations, increasing global temperatures, and more extreme and unpredictable weather events.

“GCCA is calling on governments and development agencies worldwide to adopt policies supporting cold chain operators investing in new cold chains, especially in emerging markets. Policy priorities must include championing free and open trade, reducing barriers to building new facilities, upgrading energy infrastructure, and championing logistics careers.

“By working together, we can extend the vital benefits of effective cold chains worldwide.”