In episode one of Food For Change: Serving Solutions for People and Planet, we’re starting with the big picture: what are the biggest challenges facing our food systems and access to nourishing food? And where does food banking fit in in providing solutions to these challenges?

Lisa Moon, CEO and president of The Global FoodBanking Network, discusses the global scope of food banking, noting how food banks not only address hunger but also reduce food loss and waste, with positive environmental impacts. She emphasizes the opportunity to scale this community-led model to meet rising challenges.

Shenggen Fan, former general director of the International Food Policy Research Institute and chair professor at China Agricultural University, reflects on his personal experience with hunger in China and highlights today’s interconnected challenges — climate change, pandemics, and geopolitical tensions — while emphasizing the role of innovation, government, and food recovery in building resilient food systems.

Finally, Andy Du Plessis, managing director of FoodForward South Africa, shares his journey in food banking and describes innovative programs such as FoodShare, mother-and-child nutrition support, and community food gardens that are addressing food and climate challenges in South Africa. He underscores the importance of collaboration, new policies for food donation, and recognizing food banks as integral actors in sustainable food systems.

Views and opinions expressed during the podcast are those of the individuals expressing them and do not necessarily reflect those of The Global FoodBanking Network.

Unpacking the Challenges Facing Our Food System