ASSOCIATIONS
More than just a cold storage provider
By Lizelle van der Berg , Director – GCCA South Africa
We have heard from GCCA members in South Africa about the work they do to maintain a strong cold chain . They go through tremendous hard work to ensure the food that enters the market is safe to eat . We have also heard how the cold storage industry is committed to environmental sustainability , by initiating projects and activities to reduce their impact on the environment .
Thanks to all the manufacturers , importers , exporters and retailers supporting the industry , they are not only able to keep providing employment , but also do so much more . I have reached out to some of the Food Banks in Africa to find out what our cold storage and distribution industry has been up to over the past few months to partner with their noble cause of feeding our communities and combating hunger here in Africa .
KENYA , EAST AFRICA John Gathungu is the executive director and co-founder of Food Banking Kenya ( FBK ). He has steered the organisation from formation to a reputable organisation impacting the livelihoods in the fight against hunger . FBK operates a warehouse facility to store donated or rescued food for distribution . The programme actively solicits food and other crucial resources from local food growers , retailers , wholesalers , and processors . In addition , FBK collects food donations from restaurants for immediate distribution to highly exposed groups .
GCCA member , BigCold , operates the only third-party cold chain facility in East Africa that is certified to FSSC 22000 Food Safety Management System and YUM approved .
Food for All Africa
Food for All Africa has ambitious targets for 2021 and aims to service 350 000 people in Ghana .
BigCold adheres to global standards for food safety including the management of services , materials / stock , assurance of food defence , allergens , food fraud prevention and environmental monitoring .
Newton Matope , president of BigCold in Kenya is a veteran in supply chain management with more than 30 years ’ experience in the cold chain , food services , life support services , and fast-moving consumer goods . He has a successful track record of managing procurement , storage , and delivery of perishable products in some of the world ’ s most challenging environments .
Gathungu explains how Matope has supported FBK during the initial stages when sourcing for a warehouse and assisted with technical support . Matope also introduced FBK to suppliers of different warehouse equipment and to potential partners . “ Newton at BigCold has saved us from the high cost of acquisition of equipment , and increased the number of our potential partners , which has ultimately enhanced our efficiency ,” says Gathungu .
Big Cold has assisted FBK with temporary temperature-controlled storage , free consultancy on warehousing specifications , assisted with the negotiations on pricing with suppliers of equipment as well as training of staff on warehousing and stock control . “ This is a noble cause and when it is possible BigCold will assist wherever we can ,” says Matope .
GHANA , WEST AFRICA Elijah Amoo Addo is the founder and executive director of Food for All Africa in Ghana . Addo is a Ghanaian chef and food stylist who has become a social entrepreneur through his creation of Food for All Africa .
In 2017 , Chef Addo was awarded a Queen ’ s Young Leaders Award by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace for his contribution towards reforming Ghana ’ s food distribution system by reducing waste , overcoming hunger , and alleviating poverty and malnutrition .
16 www . coldlinkafrica . co . za COLD LINK AFRICA • June 2021