According to Chen Herzog, Chief Economist at BDO Ziv Haft Israel, who produced Leket Israel’s Third Annual Food Waste and Rescue Report in Israel, during the Tishrei Yomim Tovim, the amount of food purchased at supermarkets is about NIS 7 billion ($1.9 billion USD).

Unfortunately, of this, a staggering 230,000 tons (507 million pounds) of food valued at NIS 1.9 billion ($523 million USD) goes to waste.

“At a time when we’re starting the New Year, it’s incredibly disheartening to see the amount of food being wasted in preparation of the holiday meals” says Joseph Gitler, Founder and Chairman of Leket Israel.

“Leket Israel works tirelessly to rescue as much surplus produce and fresh food as possible so that Israelis in need can celebrate Rosh Hashanah with a joyous holiday meal. However, there are still many tons of rescuable food that Leket is striving to collect and deliver to the people who need it most before it goes to waste.”

In the photo, one sees Leket volunteers.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem/Photo Credit: Leket Israel)