About the
Global Cold Chain Foundation

GCCF logo

The Global Cold Chain Foundation (GCCF) is the nonprofit education, research, and international development partner of the Global Cold Chain Alliance. The Foundation’s research serves as definitive guides for the proper handling, storage, and freezing of perishable products as well as energy and facility management, and international development projects engage industry professionals in the development of cold chain infrastructure in emerging markets.

GCCF was founded in 1943 as The Refrigeration Research Foundation (TRRF) and later known as the World Food Logistics Organization (WFLO). The Foundation advances the cold chain and strengthens the food system by offering:

  • Cold chain research in the science of refrigeration and the advancement of refrigeration technology for better preservation of food and commodities;
  • Market research and data gathering focused on eliminating waste and improving efficiency in the cold chain
  • Postharvest, construction, and refrigerated storage, transportation, distribution, and investment expertise to global development partners; and
  •  Collaboration with food rescue groups and organizations seeking to reduce food loss and waste.

GCCF is led by a Board of Governors who strive to ensure the foundation provides cold chain research and training to the industry globally while also supporting the growth of temperature-controlled logistics in developing countries.

Also under the Foundation, the Council of Scientific Advisors is comprised of top scientists with expertise in many areas of importance to the temperature-controlled logistics industry, including food science/toxicology (seafood, poultry, meat, dairy, baking, produce), refrigeration systems, engineering, packing, postharvest, transportation, agriculture economics, operations, logistics and others.

 

GCCF Projects

See the many projects GCCF has completed or is currently working on around the world.

2025 - 2025

Cambodia Cold Storage Strategic Review

Country: Cambodia In collaboration with LixCap, GCCF supported a strategic review project for a cold storage in Cambodia.…

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2024 - 2025

Mauritania Cold Chain Development Project

Country: Mauritania The Mauritania Cold Chain Development Project analyzed the horticultural value chains of Mauritania with the intention…

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2024 - 2025

West Africa Emerging Markets Program

Countries: Ghana, Ivory Coast, Senegal As part of this USDA-funded Emerging Markets Program (EMP), GCCF assessed the technology,…

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2026-Institute-Banner-Image-no-tagline-2

The Cold Chain Institute is for professionals engaged in temperature-controlled logistics. The curriculum takes ‘students’ through cold chain management, customer service, employee safety, food safety, warehouse operations, transportation operations, and professional development and is taught by leading experts in the industry.

GCCF Resources

Resources for the Global Cold Chain Foundation,
and for the cold chain as a whole.

April 25, 2026

2026 GCCA Top 25 Lists of Refrigerated Warehousing & Logistics Providers

Each year, the Global Cold Chain Alliance (GCCA) publishes a list of the largest temperature-controlled warehousing and logistics…

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April 10, 2026

GCCF Webinar Series: Development Finance

Speakers: U.S. International Development Finance Corporation representatives Denisse Alfaro and Ajay Rao; GCCA Staff Members Amanda Brondy and…

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March 12, 2026

Protected: 2026 GCCF Cold Chain Institute West – Year 3 Presentations

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Latest GCCF News

View the latest news, trends, and insights about GCCF's work around the globe.

Upcoming Events

View upcoming education, training, and networking events offered by GCCA to improve the global cold chain, online and in person.

July 8

GCCF Webinar Series: Cold Chain Innovations

Discover the future of climate-smart logistics. Join the Global Cold Chain Foundation (GCCF) and the IFC (World Bank…

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August 12

The Cost of Cold: Financial Literacy for Cold Storage Managers

Every operational choice you make on the warehouse floor—from energy management to labor scheduling—directly shapes your facility’s bottom…

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July 30

Cold Chain Defense: Building a Coordinated Cyber Response Before the Breach

Protecting the Temperature-Controlled Supply Chain In the cold chain industry, a cyber-attack isn't just a digital problem—it’s a…

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GCCF Board 2026

GCCF Board of Governors

Learn about the Global Cold Chain Foundation leadership.

Council of Scientific Advisors

Learn about our preeminent advisory group of food scientists, logistics, and packaging experts from around the world.