FoodForward SA recently had the privilege of hosting the Global FoodBanking Network (GFN) Fellowship Exchange at our National Office in Cape Town, welcoming representatives from incubator food banks in Côte d’Ivoire, Madagascar, Mauritius, and Mozambique.
As Africa’s largest food bank and a proud member of the Global FoodBanking Network, FoodForward SA was honoured to share insights and practical experience with fellow food banking organisations working to strengthen food security in their respective countries.
Over four days, participants gained insight into FoodForward SA’s food banking model and operational approach, exploring key areas including food sourcing, warehousing, logistics, food safety, finance, fundraising, and human resources. More importantly, the exchange created space for meaningful dialogue between organisations working in different contexts but united by a common goal: reducing food insecurity and food waste across Africa.
The Fellowship Exchange forms part of the Global FoodBanking Network’s Accelerator Programme, which supports the development of emerging food banks through mentorship, capacity building, peer learning, and knowledge exchange. By connecting food banks across regions and creating opportunities for practical learning, GFN helps strengthen food banking systems and expand access to food for vulnerable communities around the world.
One of the strongest themes to emerge throughout the week was that while food banks may operate in different countries and environments, many of the challenges they face are remarkably similar.
As Aka Serge from Banque Alimentaire de Côte d’Ivoire reflected:
“The exchanges with the FoodForward SA teams, and with the representatives of Banco de Alimentos de Moçambique, Banque Alimentaire de Madagascar and FoodWise Mauritius, were incredibly rich. Everyone operates in a different context, but the challenges are the same: mobilizing more resources, building capacity, and better reaching vulnerable populations.”
For many participants, the value of the programme extended beyond technical learning.
FoodWise Mauritius shared:
“Beyond the content, what made this experience truly special was the human dimension. Sitting in a room with fellow food banks from across Africa, all part of the GFN Accelerator Program, and exchanging on shared challenges, creative solutions, and collective ambitions was a reminder of why this work matters, and how much stronger we are when we do it together.”
The exchange highlighted the value of collaboration and innovation in tackling the interconnected challenges of hunger and food waste across the continent.
As Xavier Nhaule from Banco de Alimentos de Moçambique noted:
“This experience represents a valuable opportunity to exchange knowledge, innovate and share good practices in the fight against hunger and food waste. Together, we reinforce our commitment to building more resilient, supportive communities with dignified access to food.”
At FoodForward SA, we believe that collaboration remains one of the most powerful tools in addressing food insecurity. Through the Global FoodBanking Network, food banks across Africa are able to share knowledge, strengthen partnerships, and learn from one another’s experiences, accelerating their impact and building more resilient systems for food recovery and redistribution.
We thank all participants for their openness, engagement, and willingness to share their experiences. The conversations, connections, and insights exchanged throughout the week will continue to strengthen food banking efforts across the continent long after the programme has concluded.
