A recent study from Israel’s National Insurance Institute reveals that food insecurity is a pressing issue in 2024, impacting over one in four households. This translates to roughly 900,000 households, or about 2.6 million people, struggling to access adequate food. Alarmingly, nearly one million children are also affected, living in homes unable to ensure they receive nutritious meals.
The report highlights how erratic access to food disrupts daily routines, lowers nutrition quality, and poses risks to long-term health. While there’s been a slight improvement from 2023, when the figure stood at 30 percent, the situation remains critical.
Different communities experience food insecurity differently. For instance, food insecurity stands at 25 percent among Haredi families, which is higher than the 19 percent reported in non-Haredi Jewish families. Interestingly, cultural practices, like communal charity and group purchasing, help mitigate the impact. Many of these families often operate on a single income due to prioritizing religious study.
In stark contrast, Arab communities face a far graver situation. A staggering 58 percent of Arab households experience food insecurity, with nearly a quarter facing severe food shortages. The high poverty rate in these communities largely contributes to this dire circumstance.
The survey assessed various population groups, asking participants about financial constraints that lead them to skip meals or buy less healthy food. It categorized households into different levels of food security, and shockingly, 10 percent of all Israeli households fall into the most severe category.
Experts argue that these findings call for serious government intervention. The authors of the report stress the need for long-term policies that guarantee all Israelis access to healthy food. They advocate for increased budgets, enhanced welfare benefits, and expanded school meal programs.
The study also pointed out that approximately 963,000 households lack the means to purchase healthy foods, a situation that adversely impacts nearly 926,000 children.
This issue resonates globally. Food insecurity has risen in many countries, with recent data from the United Nations showing an increase in hunger affecting 828 million around the world in 2021. The impact of nutrition on children’s growth and development is critical, making this problem a priority that needs immediate attention.
For more information about food security issues, you can check resources from the World Food Programme and UNICEF.
