Leket Israel, Israel’s national food rescue organization, is adapting its operations and implementing special measures to tackle food insecurity and provide immediate support to hundreds of thousands of people during the current state of emergency due to the war with Iran.
Following the COVID pandemic and the aftermath of the Hamas-led terrorist attacks in Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, Leket Israel has gained critical experience operating under restrictive conditions during times of crisis, enabling the organization to swiftly mobilize and assist civilians on the home front.
By actively assessing and mapping food insecurity in real time, together with its nonprofit and municipal partners, Leket is responding to the evolving needs of the crisis, ensuring the continued delivery of essential, nutritious food to both existing recipients and those newly in need.
Currently, Leket Israel is unable to conduct its regular produce or meal rescue operations due to the risks associated with traveling to farms, packing houses, hotels and Israel Defense Forces army bases. As a result, a total of $1.1 million has been allocated specifically for the purchase of produce and cooked meals, which will be distributed to vulnerable populations in coordination with local municipalities and Leket’s nonprofit partners.
Another example of how Leket Israel is adapting is the changes it has made to Leket Express, one of its core produce-distribution programs, to comply with Home Front Command guidelines and the current reality. The project, which involves a mobile truck distributing fresh produce in market-style pop-ups, has been restructured to ensure safety and efficiency. Instead of bulk market-style distribution, recipients will now receive pre-packaged boxes of assorted fruit and vegetables, allowing them to access healthy food while avoiding large gatherings.
Gidi Kroch, CEO of Leket Israel: “The uncertainty is immense, and no one knows when the fighting will end or how it will evolve. But amid all this uncertainty, there is one thing we at Leket Israel can guarantee: Our operations will continue uninterrupted. Under any conditions, in any way, our logistics center, our trucks, our offices and our work in the field, Leket Israel does not stop.
“Despite the nationwide shutdown affecting our access to surplus hot meals and produce, we are turning to creative solutions, purchasing meals and fresh produce, to ensure those who depend on us are not left with nothing,” Kroch said. “Especially during these times, we are committed to being here for those in need.”
Leket Israel is a nonprofit organization, and as part of its efforts to continue feeding those it serves in times of routine and crisis, it is dedicating all its knowledge, logistical capabilities and management resources to maintaining its food-delivery network during this emergency.
Donations can be made at: https://standwithisrael.leket.org.