CHICAGO, IL, U.S.A. – December 5, 2016 – Today The Global FoodBanking Network (GFN) announced phase two of a technology project which aims to reduce hunger by enhancing the efficiency of food banks. As a result of funding from its global partner, Unilever, GFN will implement with Accenture Development Partnerships (ADP) and Banco de Alimentos Panamá a deployment pilot of the IT Starter Kit, a software package that allows food banks to better track inventory, enhance traceability of donated products and strengthen donor management capability.
“The IT Starter Kit underscores GFN’s mission to support and accelerate the work of food banks around the world. We are thrilled to partner with Unilever and ADP in enhancing this tool’s effectiveness for Banco de Alimentos Panamá,” said Lisa Moon, GFN President & CEO. “When completed, the IT Starter Kit will be an example of how leveraging our partners’ expertise, our staff’s knowledge in food banking and state-of-the-art technology can help food banks around the world provide hunger relief in their communities.”
GFN developed the IT Starter Kit and implemented it with its member Feeding Hong Kong in June 2016. Early reports indicated that the system increased the food bank’s operational efficiency by 30 percent. GFN’s goal is to make the IT Starter Kit available to food banks throughout its network. In addition to carrying out the deployment pilot with Banco de Alimentos Panamá and ADP, GFN will create a toolkit to guide future deployment of the system to food banks in other countries.
“Unilever is committed to help fight hunger and reduce food waste across the world – a commitment that has been brought to life through our partnership with GFN. We are proud that our investment in the IT Starter Kit will go toward maximizing the efficiency and impact of food banks in a more systemic and sustainable way, thereby increasing the number of people we can help together,” said Unilever Global Partnerships and Advocacy Vice President, Rebecca Marmot.
Inventory management is the cornerstone of food bank effectiveness. Many food banks are using antiquated management tools, making it challenging for them to meet hunger needs in their communities in a timely manner.
“We are delighted to support this deployment and reusable toolkit,” said Roger Ford, managing director of Accenture Development Partnerships. “Through our innovative co-investment business model, we are able to bring our technology, supply chain and Salesforce implementation capabilities to Banco de Alimentos Panamá and the network to help increase their operational performance.”
The IT Starter Kit is based on the Salesforce.com platform and utilizes TopShelf by Scout, an inventory management application.
The resource is part of GFN’s capacity building program, which provides food banks with the tools needed to reduce hunger in their communities. Last year, GFN’s capacity building program alone provided safe and nutritious food to 900,000 people.
About The Global FoodBanking Network
The Global FoodBanking Network (GFN) is an international nonprofit organization that nourishes the world’s hungry through launching and strengthening food banks in 32 countries. Last year GFN member food banks rescued nearly 930 million pounds of food and redirected it to feed more than 6.8 million people through 27,000 social service organizations. For more information please visit www.foodbanking.org.
Contact:
Jessica Tuquero
Manager, Communications
The Global FoodBanking Network
jtuquero@foodbanking.org
1.312.782.4560
