State covers just 13% of food aid NGOs’ budgets, study finds
Sue Surkes is The Times of Israel's environment reporterThe state contributes just 13 percent of the budgets of food aid organizations in Israel, according to the first comprehensive mapping of food aid charities led by the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Sheba Medical Center in central Ramat Gan.In September, the Latet charity reported that over a quarter of Israeli families, including every third child, were struggling to access sufficient food for proper development and health.That meant around 2.8 million people, or 32.1 percent of Israelis, including 1.3 million children, were living with food insecurity, up from 24.9% in 2024.The new study, published in this month’s issue of Food Policy, reveals that there are 2,289 active food-aid groups in the country, with an annual total turnover of at least NIS 6.18 billion ($2.1 billion).A third of the organizations that answered the question reported hiring a total of 28,623 employees, and half…
A new study by the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Sheba Medical Center reveals that the Israeli state covers only 13% of the budgets for food aid organizations. The study, published in Food Policy, identified 2,289 active food-aid NGOs with an annual turnover of at least NIS 6.18 billion ($2.1 billion). This comes as over a quarter of Israeli families, approximately 2.8 million people, experience food insecurity.
“Civil society does extraordinary work, but a modern state cannot rely on charity alone to ensure access to healthy food,”
said Prof. Aron Troen, co-leader of the study. The research highlights that most NGOs are religiously affiliated, with a disproportionately low number operating in Arab communities despite high food insecurity rates. The authors advocate for stronger public leadership, improved oversight, and standardized reporting to ensure equitable and effective food aid delivery.
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