Food waste and the growth of food banks in the Global South

As the number and size of food banks increase globally, it is critical to research how food banks fit into existing food systems, and their role in reducing food insecurity and food waste. After examining the political ecology of urban food waste, this chapter examines the globalization of food banking and its growth in the Global South through the case study of FoodForward SA. Since many countries in the Global South have the highest levels of food insecurity and the weakest infrastructure, it is in these high-need locations that food banks may struggle to operate effectively. The chapter finds that, while food banks may improve the efficiency of food redistribution systems, many food banks suffer from institutional funding crises, state or private sector interference, inappropriate placement in many parts of the Global South, and uncertain impacts on food insecurity and food waste levels over the long term.