NON-PROFIT
NON-PROFIT
Leket Israel Redirects Wasted Food to Those in Need
By Jamie Grill-Goodman
Leket Israel has grown to employ over 150 workers and span nationwide since its humble beginnings in 2003 , but the nonprofit ’ s primary goal remains the same , says Lauren Yokèd , Executive Director , American Friends of Leket Israel .
“ I love the mission and the concept , which is really so simple – moving excess food from those who have too much to those who do not have enough .”
Today Leket Israel collects surplus produce and cooked meat meals – that would otherwise needlessly end up in landfills – from over 1,000 food suppliers and delivers the food free of charge to 300 nonprofit partners serving 330,000 vulnerable Israelis of all backgrounds each week .
The organization was founded by New Jersey native Joseph Gitler in 2003 , under the name Table2Table , shortly after he immigrated to Israel . Recognizing that more than a third of all food in Israel is wasted ( on par with the rest of the western world ) while at the same time , a quarter of the population lives below the poverty line , he felt compelled to act .
“ He began rescuing fresh , excess meals late at night from event halls in his own vehicle and dropping them off at local soup kitchens ,” Yokèd tells COMMERCE . “ In 2010 , the organization merged with Israel ’ s food bank becoming Leket Israel , Israel ’ s National Food Bank and largest food rescue organization . Today , Leket Israel works with hundreds of farmers and other food producers .”
In 2006 , American Friends of Leket Israel was established in Teaneck , NJ . Yokèd has been with the nonprofit for more than 13 years .
“ I grew up on a farm myself , in Monmouth County , founded by my grandfather in the 40s ,” she notes . “ We would regularly set aside some of the crops to donate to local food banks in central NJ and when I learned many years later that there was an organization doing something similar in Israel , albeit on a much grander scale , I was hooked .”
The New Jersey office actively promotes Leket Israel ’ s food rescue activities , awareness about food rescue and food insecurity , and the organization ’ s emergency humanitarian relief programs .
“ We provide speakers for presentations and can set up personalized fundraising pages for individuals , synagogues , churches and schools to raise funds to feed those in need . Naming opportunities are available . We also regularly work with kids to create projects to fundraise for their Bar and Bat Mitzvahs .”
In central Israel , individuals and groups can volunteer in either the fields ( harvesting fresh produce ) or in the Logistics Center , sorting and packing produce to go out to those in need . The organization is apolitical and nondenominational , and serves all Israelis in need regardless of religion , race , ethnicity or gender .
A Country in Need
In response to the current crisis , Leket Israel is now feeding 330,000 Israelis each week – a substantial 22 % increase from before Oct . 7 .
Leket Israel quickly developed several major emergency relief programs to address the crisis after October 7 , with an emphasis on additional food provision and special assistance to the devastated farming community .
“ I love the mission and the concept , which is really so simple – moving excess food from those who have too much to those who do not have enough .”
“ Israeli farmers have been devastated by inaccessibility to arable land in firing zones on the northern and southern borders , direct damage to farms and equipment , and the absence of farm laborers ,” shares Yokèd . “ Thirty-five percent of farms in the Gaza envelope have permanently closed . In the north , rising production costs – up 40 % for day workers due to labor shortages – and constant rocket bombardments make it nearly impossible for farmers to operate day to day and stay in business .
“ Due to the drastic reduction in fresh fruit and vegetables available for rescue from farmers ( normally the largest food donors to the organization , by far ) the organization is temporarily supplementing this by purchasing 22 million lbs . of produce in 2024 . Leket Israel has also sent 80,000 volunteers to assist farmers with produce harvest due to labor shortages caused by the war .”
The amount of help Leket Israel is providing and food waste it ’ s preventing is staggering . In 2024 , Leket Israel will source and rescue an
Lauren Yokèd , Executive Director , American Friends of Leket Israel
estimated 75,000,000 lbs . of fresh produce and 2.4 million prepared meals .
“ Recognizing the toll of conflict on Israeli border farmers – both physical damage to land , equipment , infrastructure , and crops , as well as the emotional toll of personal loss – Leket Israel continues to provide financial support crucial for the recovery and resilience of border farmers ,” she says . “ In collaboration with the Koret Israel Economic Development Fund ( KIEDF ), Leket has established a loan fund to provide critical financial assistance to devastated farmers , initially focusing on southern farms before expanding to other areas , with 26 loans approved and 21 distributed to date . Additionally , the organization has partnered with Strauss ( a major food manufacturing company ) to establish a $ 4 million grant fund for farmers in the Gaza envelope , providing immediate relief for infrastructure , land rehabilitation , and labor support . Leket Israel has also provided direct financial support to about 900 farmers and their families , via pre-paid debit cards .”
Amid the crisis in Israel , some businesses have curtailed their activities or have shut down completely due to security measures , as well as losing employees who have been called up for military duty . Farmers have seen their fields destroyed . Some have witnessed their workforce disappear overnight , says Yokèd .
“ All of this has resulted in massive and unprecedented demand on Leket Israel to provide fresh food and other support to those in need ,” says Yokèd .
Continued
Photo : Lauren Yokèd
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