MKs Uri Maklev and Moshe Gafne have proposed a bill seeking to prevent throwing out surplus food, which they feel can be channeled to feed the poor. The MKs envision giving the food to NGOs and they in turn can distribute it to large families without fear of lawsuits, which is the reason so much food is tossed rather than distributed.
The bill would permit donating food that cannot be sold including the balance of cooked dishes freshly collected at the end of the day from catering companies, restaurants, simcha halls, and items that have passed the marketing date but still permissible for use.
The bill states the provisions of storage and food safety would be determined in consultation with the Ministries of Health and Social Affairs as well as the National Council for Food Safety. Companies would be able to donate food for as long as they adhere to guidelines without fear of lawsuits.
At present, it is estimated that 25% of food prepared in hotels, banquet halls, catering companies, factories, catering services, retail chains etc. is destroyed. Kitchen workers often comment on the pain of seeing countless trays of food being dumped, good, hearty edible food. They lament the fact that often, fresh food is taken out of an oven and tossed directly into the garbage. The bill seeks to have this food packed and distributed to prevent waste while feeding the hungry.
Maklev feels the food can feed “Hundreds of thousands of poor children and families, large families who have difficulty feeding their family daily. They would receive hot meals daily. Many organizations are interested in donating food, but because of current regulations and fear of lawsuits, this does not occur.”.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
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5 Responses
I started an organization called Mipach LaYad, taking almost expired dairy products for distribution to the poor. I approached one of the big chesed organizations for assistance & they refused because they said I would poison the poor & they would have no hand in it. Reluctantly I closed the organization. This new law could be very beneficial.
1. The picture is of a most probably mentally unbalanced person so it shouldn’t have been published.
2. Leket has been redistributing surplus food for years. It is doing it cheaper and far more efficient than any government agency could do
3. The redistribution of many types of food are very complicated by food safety issues.
4. Sounds to me like these political hacks are trying to get jobs for their buddies
Wow such negativity in comments.
Wedding, BarMitzvsh & Catering halls frequently give the food to Yeshivos for their next day lunch here in the New York area. I am sure “if there’s a will there’s a way” & Israeli restaurants, caterers & others can find a solution.
Cowdoc, you made 3 good points. Regarding no 4, please read the article in last week’s English Mishpacha highlighting the selflessness and utter adherence to the gedolim of MK Gafni.
Did anyone hear of breadforisrael.org? They are putting a major dent in this problem with a revolutionary model of no overhead and getting huge below wholesale prices on bread.