History of Leket Israel

2003

Table to Table is Born

Joseph Gitler started rescuing meals from catering halls and corporate cafeterias out of his Subaru car. The meals were stored in refrigerators lining his driveway before delivery to local nonprofit organizations serving the needy.


Joseph Gitler1

2003
2003

The First Warehouse

An old chicken coop was converted into Leket’s first warehouse.  The open space contained 5 standard sized refrigerators.


first warehouse

2003
2004

Renovations of the First Warehouse

Leket Israel’s first warehouse underwent renovations to meet the increased need for food storage. Two small refrigerated rooms were built alongside the office and the courtyard working space- totaling 35m².

2004
2004

Leket Israel’s Trucks

Large trucks are acquired, some containing refrigerated boxes, for delivery of food directly to nonprofit organizations.

2004
2007

A Northern Warehouse

Leket Israel begins operations at an additional warehouse located in Nesher to serve its nonprofit partners in Northern Israel.

2007
2008

The First Forklift

To ease the ever increasing amount of food donations received, Leket Israel purchased its first forklift.

2008
2008

The Main Logistics Center, Ra’anana

The organization moved from the chicken coop to a warehouse space in Ra’anana’s Industrial Zone: a 700m hanger with 2 refrigerated containers. .

2008
2009

Logistics Center Renovations

The warehouse was renovated with the addition of a 100m² refrigerated room.

pic 7- refrigeration construction (Large)

2009
2012

The First Sorting Machine

Leket acquired its first sorting machine to cut work time in half and increase efficiency.

sorting machine

2012
2014

A Fire at Leket Israel’s Main Logistics Center

An electrical fire destroyed Leket Israel’s main Logistics Center in Ra’anana.

שריפה במרלוג 122 (Large)

2014
2014

A Temporary Warehouse

Leket moved to a temporary warehouse space in Ramot HaShavim. Work continued uninterrupted thanks to Leket staff and volunteers.

temporary logistics center

2014
2014

Began Hot Meal Collection from IDF Bases and Hotels

We expanded our meal collection program through new partnerships with IDF bases and hotels in the south of the country. The meal collection program continues to grow each year.

 

 

2014
2015

A New & Improved Logistics Center

Renovations post fire of Leket Israel’s Logistics Center boasts increased storage and working space and a safer work environment for Leket’s employees and volunteers.

 

improved logistics center

2015
2016

First Food Waste and Rescue in Israel Report is Published

The first Food Waste and Rescue in Israel Report was published, now released annually. The report, initiated by Leket Israel and prepared with the collaboration of BDO Consulting Israel triggers governmental debates, leads to media publicity and serves as the basis for different discussions on food rescue and food waste.

2016
2018

Legislation of the “Food Donation Act”

The law removes both civil and criminal liability to everyone along the food supply chain enabling even more people to donate food to those in need. Leket began the process of pushing this law forward in 2008 and worked with Knesset members to ensure its survival.

food bill
2018
2020

Assisting those in need throughout the Covid-19 Crisis

Leket helped a large number of vulnerable people throughout the crisis. The biggest challenge was dealing with the closure of our main surplus food donors.

Coronavirus Help

2020
2020

Moved to a new and bigger Logistics Center

We have moved to a new Logistics Center in Gan Haim.New Logistics center

2020