Global Food Initiative

The Global Food Initiative (GFI) is the primary way that the Church of the Brethren assists hungry people in developing food security. Since 1983, GFI (formerly Global Food Crisis Fund) has raised over $8,000,000 for community development projects in numerous countries around the globe. Read (and share!) the latest GFI newsletter or take a look at the list of 2022 GFI allocations, 2021 allocations, or previous GFI allocations.

GFI seeks to:

  • invest in small-scale economic development
  • join efforts to improve diet and health practices
  • champion soil conservation
  • promote awareness-raising and advocacy on hunger issues.

This work is made possible through your contributions. We encourage you to participate with us by:

  • praying that those who are hungry may have food
  • giving an individual contribution
  • participating in our ongoing “My 2¢ Worth” fundraiser (contact GFI for questions or materials)
  • taking an offering for GFI at your congregation or camp

Your support of the Global Food Initiative upholds the biblical command to lift the burden of the oppressed. Moreover it honors God, for as stated in Proverbs 14:31, “Kindness shown to the poor is an act of worship.”

Fundación Brethren y Unida

July 2023 presentation about FBU, Global Food Initiative’s partner in Ecuador (English captions)

Llano Grande, Ecuador

This video is from the El Mesias congregation in Llano Grande, which is part of the greater Quito urban area. The GFI recently gave a second grant to support an expansion of the church’s community garden through the Fundacion Brethren y Unida (Brethren and United Foundation) in Ecuador. The grant was $8,000 and primarily will be used to build a cistern and install a sprinkler system for irrigation.

“La Chacra” (sometimes written “Chakra”) refers to the typical form of agriculture practiced by the Quichua indigenous peoples of the Andes.

The GFI continues to support Bread for the World with an annual donation on behalf of the denomination.
Fundacion Brethren y Unida organized a “feria” or farmers’ market in the town of Picalqui. Local artisans, food vendors, and farmers were invited to sell their wares with FBU providing the publicity and securing the space for the market. A number of women and youth trained by FBU were able to sell their products directly to customers. GFI grants over the past three years have supported training in organic agricultural techniques as well as value-added food items.


Chef Kevin Belton caught up with local beekeeper, David Young, to see how he turned his home into something sweeter than produce.




SeedworldSoybean helps rebuild Nigeria


Church of the Brethren and SIL collaborate on a Soybean Production Guide. Read the story here. Get the Soybean Production Guide here.


Read about an EYN soybean value chain learning trip to Ghana in this Soybean Innovation Lab newsletter.


Read an earlier article on this collaboration with the Soybean Innovation Lab (scroll down).


Find out about the 2016 visit to the Soybean Innovation Lab Soybean Management and Appropriate Research & Technology (SMART) farm in Ghana.


David Young of Capstone 118, GFI partner in New Orleans

Pastor Martin Hutchison of Community of Joy Church of the Brethren