Fund honours cold chain guru Eric Prieur

USA: The Global Food Cold Chain Council (GFCCC) has launched a fund in honour of cold chain visionary, Eric Prieur.

Prieur, who served as director, cold chain sustainability, was among those tragically lost in the crash of Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 on March 10, 2019. 

The Eric Prieur Memorial Research Fund for Cold Chain Sustainability has been made possible by a grant from Carrier, Prieur’s former employer. 

The aims of the fund are to 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. Specifically, it 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.

Eric Prieur approached the global topic of sustainability, and particularly that of food loss and waste, with great energy and passion. In his role with Carrier’s refrigeration business, Eric was often called upon to speak at events around the world and increased Carrier’s level of participation and leadership on a global scale. Carrier 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 humour and friendship that we will never forget,” said Jon Shaw, director, sustainability, Carrier Transicold & 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.”

As one of the founding members of the GFCCC, Eric forged relationships with organisations such as UNEP, the United Nations Food & Agriculture Organisation, 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, executive director, Global Food Cold Chain Council.

Individuals or organisations wishing to join the GFCCC and its members to make non-tax-deductible contributions to the fund in Eric’s name may do so via credit card here, or by sending a check payable to the Eric Prieur Memorial Research Fund, 2111 Wilson Blvd, 8th Floor, Arlington, Virginia 22201, USA.

Related stories:

Industry mourns loss of Carrier’s Eric Prieur – 15 March 2019
ETHIOPIA: Eric Prieur, Carrier’s director of cold chain sustainability, has been named as a passenger on Ethiopian Airlines flight 302 which crashed on March 10, killing all 157 people on board. Read more…