Leket Israel Aims to Provide 700,000 Holiday Meals to Needy

Leket Israel, the country's largest food rescue network, is setting an ambitious goal of providing over 700,000 holiday meals to families in need ahead of the upcoming Tishrei High Holidays. Joseph Gitler, founder and chairman of Leket Israel, explained that the organization, established during the Second Intifada, aims to combat food waste while addressing widespread food insecurity.

Since the October 7th Hamas attacks, Leket Israel has significantly ramped up its operations, dispatching over 12,000 volunteer bus trips, primarily to the Gaza border region and the north, to assist farmers in their fields. Gitler noted a shift in the organization's relationship with farmers, moving beyond just collecting surplus produce to offering loans, assisting with new agricultural equipment purchases, and buying produce when farmers lack buyers.

Leket Israel's operations involve rescuing and distributing nutritious surplus food, including fresh agricultural produce and prepared meals, through a network of 346 partner charities and soup kitchens. In 2024 alone, the organization distributed over 31,000 tons of fresh produce and rescued approximately 1.83 million prepared meals, purchasing an additional quarter-million meals to meet demand. The organization utilizes a large logistics center, refrigeration units, and a fleet of vehicles for its operations.

Gitler emphasized the importance of connecting people with the source of their food and the detrimental impact of waste. He is calling on the public to contribute to their holiday meal drive, highlighting the need for additional resources like trucks, drivers, and fuel to reach their target of 700,000 meals. Leket Israel's work supports around 470,000 beneficiaries nationwide through its extensive network.