Leket Beet March 2022

The monthly update for our most dedicated supporters from Gidi Kroch

The Far-Reaching Implications of the Russian Assault on Ukraine and What Leket Israel is Doing to Help

The invasion of Ukraine by Russia is terrible.  To think that such a war can and is happening in 2022, is even worse. And how will this war cease and what will be the aftermath?  Unthinkable.

The Ukrainians and Russians alike are suffering from this war. It is very likely that citizens of both countries don’t even understand why this is happening, they only know that they are at war with one another. The Ukrainians are protecting their homeland from an aggressor that has lost control (Putin, not the Russians) and the Russians are suffering the consequences of an international boycott. 

However, it is not only the Russians and Ukrainians who are suffering. This war between the countries is creating and international market disruption. Ukraine is the number 3 grain exporter in the world. With the national attention focused on saving their homeland, the ripe wheat fields will go to waste very quickly. Shortage of water, manpower, energy and logistics will have a negative impact on local growers and as a consequence, so too will the export to other countries.  On the other side of the border, the German government announced that they are stopping the work on the gas pipeline running from Russia, through Germany to Western Europe. The result will be a shortage of gas in Western Europe.  Presumably, none of this is news to you as we have all been glued to our televisions following this crisis as it unfolds.

What is not currently in the news but will soon be, is how Mrs. Cohen from Acre, Israel and Mr. Smith from Montgomery, LA will be impacted by this war in Europe despite being thousands of miles away.

In Israel it is estimated that in 2022, the cost of gas will rise in a way that the family expenditure on gas will double. California gas prices are already at almost $6.00 per gallon, which is very close to current prices in Israel. A friend that works in a bakery told me that they are already having serious challenges finding flour and Israel only has enough flour in its emergency reserves to last until Passover (T”G that the matzot for Passover have been ready for months).

So, Mrs. Cohen will see the cost of living go up dramatically in the next few months or even weeks, and while she doesn’t own a car since she can’t pay the cost, energy costs will rise which will impact all other aspects of food manufacturing which she will end up paying for. Will she be able to survive now that she lives on a small pension, teetering on the border of poverty? First thing she will probably cut from her purchases are fruit and vegetables. 

And what about Mr. Smith, a veteran who lives in a small, rented apartment in Louisiana? He relies on his car to make deliveries as he was fortunate enough to land a small contract with a local supplier of confectionaries, but his agreement did not account for a serious hike in gas prices.  Will he lose his business as a direct result of this price rise?  Will he be able to keep his rented apartment?

These are serious questions that are not at the forefront of the discussion at the moment. The implications of this European war reaches far beyond the geographical location.

And Leket? Yes, operation costs will rise but they will still be at a rate that will make food rescue very cost effective, perhaps even more. Food rescue will become even more important (and difficult). As the price of raw materials rise, manufacturers’ sensitivity to loss in the food chain will increase and likely they will look for solutions to minimize the loss. At the end of the chain is Leket, ready to take on whatever they decide is not marketable but still edible and respectful to our dependents. 

So, Mr. Putin and other world leaders. We are your constituents, be mindful of what we need and remember that you are here to serve Mrs. Cohen, Mr. Smith and a few other billions.  Have some decency and respect. 

A few words on how we at Leket Israel see this crisis developing in Israel:

  1. Information is key – the more we know, the better we are able to prepare.
  2. Although we are looking at a major international crisis the impact in Israel is currently very small regarding people in need. Overall, to date, Israel received 1,000 – 1,500 refugees, Jews and others. Most of the Jews that arrived have families in Israel that will support them.
  3. The government is running the operation in Israel through local governments and there is and will be an influx of government financial support when and if required.
  4. While financial support might be required for operations in the Ukraine, in Israel we do not see the need for a specific fundraising campaign or funding at all. This is the current situation, and it might change over time.
  5. Leket is an Israeli food rescue operation. We looked into sending fresh produce to Ukraine but decided not to do so as we are not sure of the supply chain process and in what condition it will be delivered locally. Same regarding frozen soups – the logistics makes it not at all cost effective and we believe that sending financial support instead will produce much more food than shipping it from Israel.
  6. We are currently tracking Israel’s response and where the new immigrants and refugees are localized. Our services and support are available through our nonprofit partners including welfare and absorption offices. We are keeping an open channel with these offices and will respond to any food assistance request.

Questions, comments or feedback? Please contact [email protected]

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