GFCCC launches research fund in honor of cold chain visionary

The Global Food Cold Chain Council (GFCCC) recently created the “Eric Prieur Memorial Research Fund for Cold Chain Sustainability” with help from a Carrier grant.

The council says the fund will honor Eric Prieur, who served as Carrier’s director of cold chain sustainability before his tragic death March 10 in the crash of Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302, which claimed the lives of all 157 people on board.

Global sustainability was a topic Prieur approached with “great energy and passion,” GFCCC said, and he often was called upon to speak at events around the world, helping increase Carrier’s participation and leadership in the global cold chain community.

Carrier said it will seed the fund with two annual, consecutive donations of $50,000.

“Eric gave unselfishly, heart and soul, to a movement that was greater than himself, and he did it with grace, sincerity, good humor and friendship that we will never forget,” said Jon Shaw, director of sustainability for Carrier Transicold and refrigeration systems. “He was at the forefront of leading real change with projects in India, Vietnam and the Philippines, and the designation of this fund is meant to ensure that his good work continues to benefit cold chain development around the world.”

The Eric Prieur Memorial Fund will support the mutual goals of GFCCC and Carrier by helping reduce food loss and waste, and the resulting greenhouse gas emissions and water waste, while increasing global awareness for and expansion of a sustainable food cold chain. As such, the fund will be used to develop case studies and refine data through the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and advance other key sustainable cold chain activities in developing countries, including development of pilot projects and case studies.

As one of the founding members of the GFCCC, Prieur forged relationships with organizations such as UNEP, the United Nations Food & Agriculture Organization, the Green Climate Fund and the Global Environment Fund.

“The creation of this important fund, which honors Eric’s work and vision to reduce food waste and support sustainable cold chain activity, will expand and encourage greater participation among our members and other interested parties,” said Kevin Fay, GFCCC’s executive director.

Visit foodcoldchain.org/the-eric-prieur-memorial-research-fund to make a non-tax deductible contribution to the fund via credit card, or send a check payable to Eric Prieur Memorial Research Fund to 2111 Wilson Blvd, 8th Floor, Arlington VA 22201.