While the drums of war beat, a different crisis unfolds on Israeli soil—an economic hemorrhage seeping through the cracks of food systems. In 2023, an astounding \(6.75 billion worth of food reportedly went to waste, creating a \)445 million hole in the pockets of struggling citizens.
The Impact on Everyday Lives
As sobering as these numbers are, they don’t just represent lost commodities; they spell hardship for approximately 1.5 million Israelis who find themselves grappling with insufficient access to food. “The war has exposed the fragility of Israel’s food system,” explains Gidi Kroch, CEO of Leket Israel, exposing a vulnerability in a nation historically reliant on external food imports.
Unmasking Hidden Costs
Beyond the immediate financial burdens, food insecurity has led to a \(1.5 billion spike in healthcare costs and extensive environmental damages. Unnecessary waste management and increased greenhouse gas emissions fold into a \)1.15 billion price tag annually. And this staggering figure doesn’t even cover the direct food losses, totaling nearly $300 million just nine months into the war.
A Case for Food Rescue
This food crisis represents nearly one-fifth of Israel’s hiked defense budget. As stated by Chen Herzog, Chief Economist at BDO, “Every shekel invested in food rescue yields an economic return of NIS 10.3.” This suggests the immense potential of food rescue in rebuilding post-war Israel. According to The Jerusalem Post, \(335 million invested in rescue efforts could draw back \)1.2 billion worth of food, offering a lifeline through famine and food injustice.
Plans for Reform
Reflecting on this urgent issue, the 9th Annual Food Waste and Rescue Report indicates the necessity for systemic reform. A national food rescue initiative is in the works, aligning goals between the Ministry of Environmental Protection and the Health Ministry. Rami Rozen, Director General of the Ministry of Environmental Protection, mentions that “Leket Israel’s report underscores the urgent need for this initiative,” promising soon to unveil clear action plans, targeted goals, and policy tools in a collective war against food wastage.
Enveloped in conflict, Israel stands on the brink of significant reform, a reminder that even in times of turmoil, waste need not be a perennial adversary.
