Leket Israel: Food Waste in Israel Reaches an All-Time High

Leket Israel, the National Food Bank, is the leading food rescue organization in the country, dedicated to reducing food waste and addressing food insecurity. Through a wide network of partnerships with farmers, food manufacturers, hospitality providers, and nonprofit organizations, Leket rescues surplus, nutritious food that would otherwise go to waste and redistributes it to hundreds of thousands of Israelis in need.

Leket Israel's Food Waste and Rescue Report, produced in collaboration with the Ministry of Environmental Protection and the Ministry of Health, and prepared by BDO, reveals the significant impact of the Swords of Iron War on food waste and insecurity in Israel. The 9th annual edition of the Report presents a troubling picture: food waste in 2023 amounted to a staggering NIS 24.3 billion (USD $6.75B), with war-related food loss alone costing the country an additional NIS 1.6 billion (USD $445M).

This year's Report sheds light not only on the scale of the issue but also on its root causes and far-reaching consequences. Throughout 2023, 2.6 million tons of food were lost or wasted —representing 38% of all food produced in Israel. This marks a 3% increase over the previous year and equals 1.3% of Israel's Gross National Product (GNP).

The Report offers a detailed analysis of how the Swords of Iron War exacerbated the food waste crisis. During the first nine months of the conflict, the Israeli economy suffered NIS 1 billion (USD $280M) in direct food loss, NIS 200 million (USD $55M) in environmental damage, and an additional NIS 370 million (USD $103M) in healthcare costs stemming from food insecurity.

The agricultural sector bore the brunt of the damage. Roughly 32% of Israel's agricultural land lies in the North and South—regions heavily affected by the conflict. Additionally, the workforce crisis was profound: during the early months of the war, the number of foreign agricultural workers dropped by 59%. As a result, 228,000 tons of agricultural produce were lost—enough to feed hundreds of thousands of families during this critical period.

The human cost is equally distressing. Food insecurity in Israel has risen, now affecting 1.5 million people, up from 1.4 million in 2022. With the ongoing economic fallout, this figure is expected to rise even further. Correspondingly, healthcare costs linked to food insecurity climbed to NIS 5.5 billion (USD $1.5B), up from NIS 5.2 billion (USD $1.45B) the previous year.

One of the most striking findings in the Report is that nearly half of all wasted food—1.2 million tons, valued at NIS 8.6 billion (USD $2.4B)—was edible and could have been rescued. The greatest rescue potential lies in the retail and distribution sectors, valued at NIS 4.5 billion (USD $1.25B), followed by the agricultural stage at NIS 2.1 billion (USD $580M). This rescued food could not only meet the nutritional needs of Israel's population but also help bridge the country's widening social gaps.

Beyond the social implications, food waste also inflicts severe environmental harm. The estimated annual damage stands at NIS 4.1 billion (USD $1.15B), which includes the loss of natural resources (NIS 1.6 billion), greenhouse gas and air pollution (NIS 1.6 billion), and waste management costs (NIS 0.9 billion).

"The war has exposed the fragility of Israel's food system," said Gidi Kroch, CEO of Leket Israel. "228,000 tons of agricultural produce were lost, while countless families fell into poverty. We cannot continue to rely on imports or short-term fixes. The time has come to recognize food rescue as a pillar of national resilience."

Kroch emphasized that a NIS 1.2 billion (USD $335M) investment in food rescue could save food worth NIS 4.3 billion (USD $1.2B) and eliminate food insecurity across the country. "This is not only economically sound—it's a moral imperative," he added.

In response to Leket Israel's findings, the Ministry of Environmental Protection has taken a leading role in establishing a national plan to reduce food loss. "Reducing food loss and waste is a top-tier environmental, social, and economic challenge," said Rami Rozen, Director General of the Ministry. "We're working in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security to finalize an action plan with measurable goals and effective policy tools."

Moshe Bar Siman Tov, Director General of the Ministry of Health, echoed this urgency: "Whether in calm or crisis, access to healthy, nutritious food is essential for public health. The current Report shows how the war has deepened food insecurity, affecting 1.5 million Israelis and contributing to over NIS 370 million in related health costs."

Chen Herzog, Chief Economist at BDO and editor of the Report, pointed out that the financial cost of food waste—NIS 24.3 billion—represents nearly one-fifth of Israel's increased defense budget. "These costs ultimately fall on the public. In light of the war, the need for a national food rescue policy is greater than ever. Every shekel invested in food rescue returns NIS 10.3 to the economy, making it a smart and vital component of our post-war recovery strategy."

The Food Waste and Rescue Report proposes two critical steps: setting a national target to reduce food waste and forming an inter-ministerial task force to implement a coordinated national food rescue plan. This plan would include mechanisms to rescue food for at-risk families, supported by professional nutritional guidance.

partnered with Leket Israel