Every year, an estimated 1.3 billion tons of food is lost or wasted globally. At the same time, between 720 and 811 million people suffer from hunger around the world. Food donation offers a critical solution to this troubling paradox, as it redirects safe, surplus food away from landfills to those who need it most. Unfortunately, most countries lack supportive laws and policies that enable food donation to reach its full impact.
The Global Food Donation Policy Atlas provides a first-of-its-kind look at the current state of food donation laws and policies in participating countries along with country-specific policy recommendations for strengthening food recovery efforts. The project includes the Quick-view atlas, which visually compares the food donation policy landscape across countries, and Country research of executive summaries, legal guides, and policy recommendations.
This project is a collaboration between the Harvard Law School Food Law and Policy Clinic (FLPC) and The Global FoodBanking Network (GFN). Learn more about the project.
Legal frameworks that promote greater food donation are essential to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Watch presentations from the 2023 Food Bank Leadership Institute
Watch presentations from the 2020 Virtual Food Bank Leadership Institute
The Global Food Donation Policy Atlas was made possible through funding by the Walmart Foundation. The findings, conclusions, and recommendations presented on this website and in materials contained therein are those of the Harvard Law School Food Law and Policy Clinic alone and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Walmart Foundation.