World Instant Noodles Association Signs MOU with The Global FoodBanking Network to Expand Food Assistance Worldwide

The World Instant Noodles Association (WINA), a global industry association representing instant noodle companies and organizations across 20 countries and regions, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with The Global FoodBanking Network (GFN), an international nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening food banking around the world, to expand food assistance for people experiencing food insecurity. 

The MOU was signed on August 17, 2026. The signing ceremony was held in a hybrid format and was attended by Ignacio Gavilan, Food Systems Partnerships Senior Director of GFN, and Kei Saito, Chief Secretary of WINA. Also attending were Yuji Shibata, Director of the Alliance of Japan Foodbanks and CEO of Second Harvest Japan and Hiroaki Yoneyama, Chairperson, National Association for Promotion of Food Bank, both of which are GFN partner food banks in Japan. 

In 2025, WINA established WINA DAY on August 25, the anniversary of the invention of instant noodles, to promote social contribution initiatives by its member companies. 

Under the theme “Sharing is Caring with Instant Noodles”, WINA DAY 2026 is set to expand WINA’s longstanding efforts beyond disaster-relief. Through its collaboration with GFN, WINA will help address food insecurity by providing continuous support for affected communities. 

From left: Hiroaki Yoneyama, National Association for Promotion of Food Bank; Yuji Shibata, Alliance of Japan Foodbanks and Second Harvest Japan; Ignacio Gavilan, The Global FoodBanking Network; and Kei Saito, World Instant Noodles Association. 

■Background to the MOU 

Since 2008, WINA and its member companies have provided instant noodles to communities affected by earthquakes, typhoons, floods, and other natural disasters. Between 2008 and 2026, WINA has delivered approximately 8.1 million servings of instant noodles to disaster-affected communities in 21 countries and regions. 

However, beyond times of crisis, economic hardship and other challenges limit reliable access to food for many people and families. WINA believes that instant noodles can play a meaningful role within assisting efforts to improve food security because they are shelf-stable, easy to prepare, and widely enjoyed. 

GFN works through a global network of food banks and nonprofit partners to help deliver food to individuals and families in need. Through this partnership, WINA will leverage GFN’s network to expand the delivery of instant noodles to communities facing food insecurity around the world. 

■Message from Koki Ando, Chairman of WINA 

President & Representative Director, CEO, Nissin Foods Holdings Co., Ltd. 

“Since WINA became a general incorporated association in 2025, we have been working to expand the reach of our support to regions and people who have not received sufficient assistance in the past. Under the theme of WINA DAY 2026, ‘Sharing is Caring with Instant Noodles,’ we are pleased to advance our collaboration with GFN, which has an extensive international food banking network. Through this partnership, we aim to deliver instant noodles to people in need while helping more people recognize the value that instant noodles provide, including their long shelf life, ease of preparation, and great taste. 　 

This initiative goes beyond food assistance alone. It is an important step toward enabling our member companies and the instant noodle industry as a whole to contribute to addressing social challenges through food.” 

■Comment from Ms. Lisa Moon, President and CEO, The Global FoodBanking Network 

“We look forward to working with WINA and its member companies to expand food donations, strengthen disaster preparedness across our network and develop sustainable solutions that reduce food loss while improving food access for vulnerable communities. Together, we can help ensure that surplus food reaches those who need it most, creating a more resilient and equitable food system.” 

＜About The Global FoodBanking Network（GFN）＞ 

The Global FoodBanking Network (GFN) is an international nonprofit organization founded in 2006 to help end hunger through food banking. Working with partners in more than 50 countries, GFN collaborates with food companies and other stakeholders to provide food to families, children, older adults, and other people facing economic hardship. 

In 2025, GFN helped provide food assistance to more than 40.5 million people, contributing to improved access to food and the reduction of food loss and waste. 

[GFN Website]

https://www.foodbanking.org

＜About the World Instant Noodles Association（WINA）＞ 

The World Instant Noodles Association (WINA) is a global industry association founded in 1997 to promote quality improvement and the responsible growth of the instant noodle industry, while contributing to food culture around the world. WINA comprises 104 member companies and organizations from 20 countries and regions. 

WINA shares information of common interest across the industry to help ensure that consumers can enjoy instant noodles safely and with confidence. In addition to its ongoing activities, WINA organizes meetings and events that facilitate the exchange of knowledge and best practices among members, promotes quality improvement across the industry, and advances social contribution initiatives through instant noodles. 

[WINA Website]

https://instantnoodles.org/en/

[WINA DAY Website]

https://instantnoodles.org/en/sustainability/winaday/