The Egyptian Food Bank and USAID partner to Develop Innovative Solutions in Food Storage and Waste Management

In a step towards greater community sustainability, The Egyptian Food Bank has partnered with USAID Business Egypt to advance innovative and sustainable solutions for small and medium-sized enterprises supported by the Egyptian Food Bank to improve storage capabilities and develop a more sustainable model for managing packaging waste.

The partnership will build the technical capacity of the Egyptian Food Bank for data analysis, business intelligence, and impact assessment tools that strengthen the organization’s ability to make strategic decisions based on accurate analysis in the areas of environmental sustainability, packaging materials, and storage management.

The Egyptian Food Bank plans to upgrade 500 small warehouses within its supply chain network and expand its scope to 3,000 more warehouses, including warehouses affiliated with community organizations. This approach ensures the program's sustainability and facilitates the transfer of knowledge to 150 institutions and organizations across different governorates. 

The collaboration between USAID Business Egypt and the Egyptian Food Bank will develop a sustainable model for managing packaging waste, such as plastic, cardboard, and metals, in facilities operating in Cairo and Giza. This will improve waste management practices for sustainability and cost-effectiveness, with a focus on utilizing recyclable packaging materials and reducing waste in the supply chain. 

Commenting on the partnership, Mohsen Sarhan, CEO of the Egyptian Food Bank, said: "The collaboration with USAID through Business Egypt represents a pivotal step towards enhancing innovation in addressing the challenges we face.” Sarhan added that the partnership highlights “the vital role the Egyptian Food Bank plays in enhancing food security through new strategies that support both environmental and economic sustainability."

Sarhan further elaborated: "Through this partnership, we aim to develop practical solutions that contribute to improving the Egyptian Food Bank's supply chain, particularly in the areas of storage and packaging waste management, which enhances the organization’s overall performance and creates a positive, sustainable impact on the communities we serve."

Yomna Mustafa, Chief of Party for USAID Business Egypt, said,  “We are providing specialized expertise to facilitate the development of a comprehensive waste management model and optimize the operational efficiency of warehouses. This collaboration aims to improve the Egyptian Food Bank’s efficiency and increase the number of beneficiaries served, while providing innovative solutions in the areas of waste management, storage, and data analysis.

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) partners to strengthen the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Egypt and support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to adapt and grow, which contributes to sustainable economic development for all.