GCCF Leads Grant Funded Energy Efficiency Program for Food Banks

 July 2025 – In April of 2025, the Global Cold Chain Foundation (GCCF) was notified of a new grant award as a part of the Danone Institute North America’s (DINA) Sustainable Food Systems Initiative Focus on Food. In partnership with DINA and the Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research, the grant will allow GCCF and its collaborators — GCCA members Michaels Energy, the Supply Chain Management Research Center (SCMRC) of the University of Arkansas, and Feeding America — to pilot an energy efficiency program with two food banks in Texas. The project’s goals are to significantly impact energy consumption, leading to a reduction of energy usage, more sustainable energy practices and overall cost savings. 

This month, the team performed energy audits at Food Bank of the Golden Crescent and Food Bank of the Rio Grande Valley. The two banks were identified by Feeding America based on their size and cold chain operations. Vaughn Engler of Michael’s Energy led the July energy audits, with support from Dr. Janeth Gabaldon of the University of Arkansas and Madison Jaco, Manager of International Projects with GCCA. 

Throughout Q3 and Q4 of 2025, GCCF and partners will utilize information gathered during the July audits to establish an “energy baseline” and develop actionable recommendations for reducing energy consumption and costs. Once recommendations have been agreed upon, GCCF will support the food banks with technical resources and by facilitating connections with GCCA and CEBA members. Project outcomes will be monitored, and the facilities will be evaluated after recommendation implementation including how much energy consumption, if any, is reduced and the savings associated with operating more efficient facilities. 

Libby Saenz, CEO of Food Bank of the Rio Grande Valley, said of the experience, “We truly appreciate [GCCF’s] support — not just in our mission to fight hunger, but also in helping us become more efficient and sustainable. Your guidance and expertise will make a meaningful difference in how we manage our resources and serve our community.” 

The premise for the energy project was suggested by GCCA members in 2022, during the initial kickoff of the Foundation’s Food Waste Reduction Initiative, as a way to build off the expertise developed by GCCA’s Energy Excellence Recognition program. GCCF will apply lessons learned from the Texas pilots to further support additional food banks and food rescue organizations worldwide, especially those dedicated to efficient, intelligent energy management in their refrigerated warehouses.  

To learn more, please contact our International Projects Manager, Madison Jaco (mjaco@gcca.org).