About the
Global Cold Chain Foundation

GCCF logo

The Global Cold Chain Foundation (GCCF) is the nonprofit education, research, and international development partner of the Global Cold Chain Alliance. The Foundationโ€™s education programs train industry practitioners in the best practices of temperature-controlled product storage, handling, and transportation. Research manuals serve as the definitive guide for the proper handling, storage, and freezing of perishable products as well as energy and facility management, and international development projects engage industry professionals in the development of cold chain infrastructure in emerging markets.

GCCF was founded in 1943 as The Refrigeration Research Foundation (TRRF) and later known as the World Food Logistics Organization (WFLO). The Foundation advances the cold chain and strengthens the food system by offering:

  • Training and educationย for refrigerated warehouse/distribution personnel;
  • Cold chain research in the science of refrigeration and the advancement of refrigeration technology for better preservation of food and commodities;
  • Postharvest, construction, and refrigerated storage, transportation, distribution, and investment expertise to global development partners; and
  • ย Collaboration with food rescue groups and organizations seeking to reduce food loss and waste.

GCCF is led by a Board of Governors who strive to ensure the foundation provides cold chain research and training to the industry globally while also supporting the growth of temperature-controlled logistics in developing countries.

Also under the Foundation, the Council of Scientific Advisors is comprised of top scientists with expertise in many areas of importance to the temperature-controlled logistics industry, including food science/toxicology (seafood, poultry, meat, dairy, baking, produce), refrigeration systems, engineering, packing, postharvest, transportation, agriculture economics, operations, logistics and others.

 

GCCF Projects

See the many projects GCCF has completed or is currently working on around the world.

2025 - 2025

Cambodia Cold Storage Strategic Review

Country: Cambodia In collaboration with LixCap, GCCF is supporting a strategic review project for a cold storage in…

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2024 - 2025

Mauritania Cold Chain Development Project

Country: Mauritania The Mauritania Cold Chain Development Project analyzed the horticultural value chains of Mauritania with the intention…

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2024 - 2025

West Africa Emerging Markets Program

Countries: Ghana, Ivory Coast, Senegal As part of this USDA-funded Emerging Markets Program (EMP), GCCF will assess the…

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Theย Cold Chain Instituteย is for professionals engaged in temperature-controlled logistics. The curriculum takes โ€˜studentsโ€™ through cold chain management, customer service, employee safety, food safety, warehouse operations, transportation operations, and professional development and is taught by leading experts in the industry.

GCCF Resources

Resources for the Global Cold Chain Foundation,
and for the cold chain as a whole.

March 3, 2026

Annual Report 2025

A Message from GCCA’s President and CEO It is my privilege and honor to share with you the…

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February 23, 2026

Submitted Comment: GCCA Calls on Congress to Enact Farm Bill and Back Investment in Cold Chain Infrastructure, Boosting US Agricultural Exports

The Global Cold Chain Alliance (GCCA) has submitted comments to the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Agriculture,…

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February 19, 2026

Protected: 2026 GCCF Cold Chain Institute East – Year 3 Presentations

There is no excerpt because this is a protected post.

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Latest GCCF News

View the latest news, trends, and insights about GCCF's work around the globe.

Upcoming Events

View upcoming education, training, and networking events offered by GCCA to improve the global cold chain, online and in person.

May 27 - May 28, 2026

GCCA Brazil Cold Chain Congress

The GCCA Brazil Cold Chain Congress is the premier Brazilian event for executives of temperature-controlled warehousing, logistics, and…

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April 22

Global Trade Policy: One Year After “Liberation Day” (GCCA Members Only)

Discover how the "Liberation Day" tariff reset and the WTO Conference in Cameroon are shaping the future of…

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April 8

GCCF Webinar Series: Development Finance

Cold Chain Investment & Development Webinar Join the Global Cold Chain Foundation (GCCF) and the U.S. Development Finance…

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Council of Scientific Advisors

Learn about our preeminent advisory group of food scientists, logistics, and packaging experts from around the world.

Board Members

GCCF is led by a Board of Governors who are advised by a Council of Scientific Advisors comprising top scientists with expertise in food science.

Ken Whah

Adam Forste

Graham Harvey

Mickey Hoffmann

Michael Jahncke

Owusu Akoto

Justin Brandt

Josh Cronan

William Duggan

Wes Dye

Andrew Janson

Luis Jorge

Matthew Meredith

Mathew Moore

Joris Olbrechts

Tom Poe

France Pomerleau

Kirk Robertson

Marty Steinmetz

Niels Lundgaard-Svenstrup

Bob Tippmann

Gary White