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Over 1.5 million Israelis live with food insecurity, meaning, they do not know when their next meal will be. It is incredible how simple the solution is: instead of big corporations and farmers throwing away fresh surplus food, they can simply donate it to Leket Israel who will distribute it to those in need. The Leket Israel initiative is gaining momentum – let's join the social revolution in Israel.
The economic crisis that accompanied the outbreak of the pandemic, led to a significant increase of food insecurity in the country. People living with food insecurity do not know when or what their next meal will be. Food insecurity is the most serious sign of poverty, manifested in the lack of economic capacity and regular access to basic nutrition required for a balanced and proper existence. Danger to food security means danger to other aspects of life.
The problem with food insecurity is that it is reflected not only in the financial expense of food consumption but also in the consumption itself. Nutritional insecurity is accompanied by a low level of expenditure mainly on fruit, vegetables, meat and fish, which has a high nutritional value. Many studies showed a direct connection between food insecurity and a range of different diseases, and between an individual's socioeconomic status and morbidity and mortality.
According to the National Insurance Institute's 2018 poverty report, 513,000 families in Israel live with food insecurity. That means over 1.5 million people, including over 600,000 children do not know where their next meal is coming from. According to Leket Israel and BDO estimates, the corona crisis has led to 155,000 entering a state of food insecurity, joining the circle of poverty, which they had not previously experienced. Another phenomenon that accompanied the economic crisis following the outbreak of the pandemic is actually the rise in prices, as well as an increase in prices of food products. The increase of cost of living is affecting all of our pockets, and some of us will be forced to prioritize our consumption habits. However, for the people who are experiencing food insecurity, go through a real battle for survival.
Why throw away when you can rescue?
Rescuing surplus food may be an immediate and accessible solution to this situation. It is an alternative to food production, by transferring the existing produce from one place to the other, where there's an actual shortage.
According to the most recent Leket Israel and BDO Food Waste and Rescue Report produced in partnership with the Environmental Protection Ministry, 35% of food produced in Israel gets wasted, throughout the stages of production, distribution, retail and consumption, which is approximate, 2.5 million tons of food every year. In addition to the cost of greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution because of food loss and the cost of treating waste, the total cost of food loss is near to, NIS 22 billion ($6.8 billion), which is 1.5% of the national product. When half of the lost food can be saved. Rescuing food makes it possible to reduce the gap in food insecurity and allow those who cannot afford to eat a hot and nutritious meal, while saving about 72% of the costs.
From an economic perspective, rescuing food should be seen as an alternative to food production. Given that food production costs have risen and so has its final price, its rescue value will be even higher and so will its value for the people in need.
Food rescue also has environmental benefits: the most recent Leket Israel and BDO Food Waste and Rescue Report shows that the environmental costs of food loss, is NIS 3.2 billion ($997m). Rescuing food can significantly reduce these costs. Food rescue is in fact a winning formula that allows the production of food without the substantial use of resources and prevents further waste of resources, while contributing to increasing product and productivity in the economy.
Cross-party success
On Oct. 23, 2018, after a decade of intensive work, the Knesset approved The Food Donation Act to encourage the rescue of surplus food. This bill was submitted at the initiative of various Knesset members, including Knesset members Uri Maklev, Moshe Gafni, Yechiel Hilik Bar, Orly Levy Abacassis, Shuli Mualem and Mordechai Yogev, with the help of Leket Israel. Today, many food entities have refrained from donating surplus food that remains in their possession and preferred to throw it in the trash, for fear of being held civilly or criminally liable for damage that may be caused by the food donated. The purpose of the law is to protect food donors and nonprofits, who meet the food safety standards, from criminal and civil prosecution for their donations. Thanks to this legislation, the volume of cooked food donations to Leket Israel increased.
Another step that has been taken to contribute the increase of cooked food donations is the adoption by the Government Companies Authority of rescuing food as a tool for fulfilling corporate responsibility. A government company that contracts with a food rescue organization and donates its food surplus will be considered as company with corporate responsibility.
How many people does Leket Israel serve?
In 2020, Leket Israel assisted about 246,000 people in need every week, using almost 20 tons of cooked meals, and fruit and vegetables with a total value of NIS 186 million ($58 million). The food is distributed to the people in need through 330 nonprofits, and local authorities throughout the country. Leket Israel also assists funding organizations in purchasing the appropriate infrastructure required to hold on food safety rules and maintain the health of the supported. In normal times, Leket Israel serves as a model for similar organizations from around the world that come to learn about its activities and is recognized by the GFN-Global Food Banking Network as Israel's national food bank.
