A recent report highlights a growing crisis in Israel: 1.5 million people are struggling with food insecurity. This issue is paired with staggering food waste, as the latest findings reveal that in 2023 alone, Israel discarded 2.6 million tons of food—enough to cover about 20% of the country’s defense budget. What’s more alarming is that 1.2 million tons of this wasted food were still edible.
This ninth annual Food Waste and Rescue Report, created by Leket Israel in partnership with accounting firm BDO and backed by the Health and Environmental Protection ministries, sheds light on multiple factors driving this waste. The ongoing conflict has hindered farmers’ access to their lands, particularly since 32% of agricultural areas are located in conflict zones. This lack of access has lowered food supply, resulting in higher grocery prices.
According to Chen Herzog, the chief economist at BDO, the war has created a significant increase in food waste. “This year’s report shows a 1.6 billion shekel increase in food waste due to the war,” he shared, emphasizing that this isn’t just a farmer’s problem. Every Israeli is affected, especially the most vulnerable.
Leket Israel’s CEO, Gidi Kroch, explained that the situation illustrates a major failure in the market. He pointed out that while 1.5 million Israelis face food insecurity, millions of tons of food are thrown away each year. Kroch argues that the government could improve this situation with a relatively small investment in food rescue initiatives. He believes that investing 1 billion shekels could save up to 10 billion shekels in health and environmental costs.
Currently, Leket Israel rescues about 30,000 tons of fresh produce annually, but Kroch noted that there’s so much more that could be done. With better infrastructure, such as more trucks and cold storage, they could rescue a lot more.
The report highlights a troubling trend: a nearly 6% drop in fruit and vegetable consumption as families cut back on healthier foods due to rising prices. This has led to increased malnutrition rates among low-income families, which is particularly concerning in a country like Israel, where agricultural access is dwindling.
Farmers like Yossi Naim from Moshav Pri Gan have felt the impact of these challenges firsthand. Before the war, Naim farmed 500 dunams, but this year he managed to plant just 94. He described how entire fields of crops were left to rot.
The crisis extends beyond just individual farmers. The loss of farmland access and agricultural workers has led to a significant decrease in produce availability—an estimated loss of 228,000 tons across the country. This has had a ripple effect, pushing food prices higher and worsening food insecurity.
Experts like Herzog underscore the need for a comprehensive approach to tackle these issues. Strengthening support for local farmers is essential for national resilience. Without the ability to rely on neighboring countries during times of conflict, Israel needs to be self-sufficient in food production.
The report also points out the environmental repercussions of food waste, including lost resources and increased greenhouse gas emissions from decaying food. The Ministries of Environmental Protection and Health are advocating for a national food rescue plan to set measurable goals and promote policies to minimize food waste.
Kroch stresses that food security is not just about having enough to eat; it’s about building a robust and sustainable food system. This is not just an economic issue but also a matter of national security and human dignity.
Farmers like Yossi Naim are waiting for tangible support from the government. “We need more than aspirin. We need a solution,” he said, underlining the urgency of the situation.
As the conversation around food waste and security continues, it’s clear that immediate action is essential to create lasting change. For more information, you can explore this report from Leket, which outlines the details and recommendations for addressing this pressing issue.
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