On August 16, a groundbreaking event took place at the Leket Israel Logistics Center – the launching of the Food Rescue and Food Security Lobby. The lobby was established at the initiative and under the leadership of Chairwoman of the Health Committee, MK Idit Silman. Also present at the event were Minister of Environmental Protection Tamar Zandberg, MK Nir Orbach, MK Mossi Raz, MK Alon Tal, former MK Miki Haimovich, and representatives from food organizations, partner nonprofits, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Agriculture, the Public Health Forum, and more.
The launch of the lobby took place in parallel with another noteworthy achievement. Recently, Welfare Minister MK Meir Cohen led the fight to include NIS 100 million (valued at $31 million) in the national budget base for food security, a first in Israel’s history.
The national budget, the establishment of the lobby, and the participation of all food aid and government partners symbolizes, more than anything, an affirmation of the importance of closing food insecurity gaps in Israel and the government taking responsibility for the issue. It also signifies an acknowledgement of the environmental and economic benefits inherent in food rescue and the contribution to public health by providing fresh and nutritious food – values that are paramount to Leket Israel’s mission.
The honor of hosting the ceremony in the Leket Israel Logistics Center attests to the value of Leket by the Israeli government and our partners.
Gidi Kroch, CEO of Leket Israel, shared: “We welcome the establishment of a lobby that supports food rescue and food security. The establishment of the lobby in partnership with nonprofits and government agencies demonstrates for the first time that there is an understanding that food insecurity is not just a shortage of food. The lobby has health, economic and environmental impacts that affect the entire economy and the State budget, and must be addressed holistically and comprehensively. Rescuing food will make it possible to leverage the state budget in a way that will allow more food to be distributed to more people in need and can save a significant amount of money and other resources for the economy.”
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