Food bank inside a trading post creates opportunities for Filipino farmers

The following case study is part of a set that illustrate the Food Systems Call to Action in motion. Each story demonstrates innovative solutions and collaborative efforts across sectors, geographies, and communities, highlighting how food systems are being transformed.

Context: Reducing food waste and improving food security are essential for fostering sustainable livelihoods and building resilient food systems that can adapt to environmental and economic challenges.

Partners: Rise Against Hunger Philippines (RAHP), The Rockefeller Foundation, The Global FoodBanking Network, Nueva Vizcaya Agricultural Terminal (NVAT)
Duration: The initiative began in 2023 and is ongoing
Location: Philippines

Impact Achieved:

• Reduced food waste and post-harvest losses at one of the largest trading posts in the Philippines.

• Improved food security by providing essential food items and supplies to local farmers and their families.

• Enhanced nutrition for schoolchildren by donating surplus vegetables to school feeding programs, benefiting hundreds of students.

• Supported the livelihoods of farmers by offering a barter system where surplus produce can be exchanged for essential goods.

• Created a scalable model that can be replicated at other trading posts across the Philippines, promoting sustainable food recovery practices.

Description:
The project aims to reduce food waste and support Filipino farmers by creating a food bank within the Nueva Vizcaya Agricultural Terminal. The food bank allows farmers to trade surplus produce that might otherwise go to waste in exchange for essential items like rice, oil, and hygiene products. The initiative also supports school feeding programs by donating recovered produce to elementary schools, improving nutrition and reducing hunger among students. The project was kickstarted with grant funding from The Rockefeller Foundation throughThe Global FoodBanking Network, and it focuses on reducing post-harvest losses, promoting sustainability, and creating opportunities for farmers to contribute to their community. The program is envisioned to be scaled and replicated at other trading posts across the Philippines.

More info here and video here

The Food Systems Call to Action is a global initiative that urges non-state actors and governments to take immediate steps to transform food systems by 2030. It highlights the urgent need for resilient, sustainable, and equitable approaches that support food security, protect nature, and address climate change. Through targeted actions and principles, the Call to Action emphasizes collaboration, innovation, and inclusivity—ensuring that farmers, frontline workers, Indigenous communities, and other key players are at the forefront of decision-making and implementation.