Leaders in government, civil society and sectors from the 20 largest economies will convene at the G20 Summit in Buenos Aires, Argentina this Friday, November 30^th. According the the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization, food security is an important link in the process of achieving stability and peace. The G20 countries account for 80 percent of world trade in food and agricultural goods, and 60 percent of all agricultural land. As such, these economies are key players in the global population’s access to food and in preserving natural resources for continuous food production. Access to Food

The G20 countries will no doubt speak about the rising trade tension between nations. As negotiations continue, any trade barriers implemented can impede access to food. This could be devastating for the millions of hungry children, women and men who so desperately need it. As an international organization that partners with multi-national companies and with food banks in more than 30 countries, The Global FoodBanking Network (GFN) encourages countries to prioritize the well-being of the millions of people who depend on easy and affordable access to food to nourish their families. This prioritization will benefit nations in the long term. Evidence shows that improving a child’s nutrition can lead to better health, improved cognitive development, higher performance in school and increased productivity later in life.  Preserving Earth’s Natural Resources The G20 will also discuss preserving healthy, fertile and productive soil, ensuring that countries can grow and harvest enough food to feed their growing populations. It’s important to remember that the world currently produces enough food to feed the entire population; one third of it is wasted. This waste is a result of inefficiencies in the supply chain – from harvest to manufacturing facilities to transportation to markets. Food banks preserve food by partnering with farmers, companies and governments to collect perfectly edible food poised for waste and redirect it to social service agencies that feed the hungry. Last year, food banks in GFN’s network distributed more than 45 million kilograms of food and grocery products to social service agencies. These products reached nearly eight million people in need. To learn more about GFN’s work, see here.