In Israel, as in other countries around the world, efforts are being made to reduce food waste and encourage food rescue. However, thus far, no government policy has been established to promote the issue.

1

Economic

From an economic perspective, the fact that excess food is discarded rather than rescued represents a market failure.

2

Social

The rescue and provision of surplus food to those in need reduces social gaps and prevents food insecurity in weaker, underprivileged populations.

3

Environmental

Waste reduction reduces pollutant levels, GHG emissions, use of finite land and water resources, and the quantity of waste sent to landfills.

Policy Recommendations to Reduce Food Waste and Encourage Food Rescue

The 2019 National Food Waste and Rescue Report, similar to preceding reports, demonstrates the significant economic, social and environmental benefits of food rescue.
  • Economic
    From an economic perspective, the fact that excess food is discarded rather than rescued represents a market failure. At market prices, it is not worthwhile to who to rescue food. However, taking into account alternative values and nutritional benefits makes food rescue highly beneficial economically.

  • Social
    The rescue and provision of surplus food to those in need reduces social gaps and prevents food insecurity in weaker, underprivileged populations.

  • Environmental
    Waste reduction reduces pollutant levels, GHG emissions, use of finite land and water resources, and the quantity of waste sent to landfills.

Recommendations for policy measures necessary to reduce food waste and encourage ‎food rescue ‎in ‎Israel: ‎

1
Set a National Food Rescue Goal

Aiming to reduce food waste by 50% by the year ‎‎2030, as specified by the UN – the goal would be to reduce food waste by 50% by the year ‎‎2030, in accordance with principles laid out by the UN.

Setting a national goal will place the issue on the national agenda and more ‎importantly will create governmental commitment to act towards the realization of this ‎objective. In addition to setting a goal, it is necessary to establish measurement and ‎monitoring tools to facilitate ongoing review of compliance with the goal.‎

2
Develop a National Plan for Food Rescue
The plan should address food waste at all stages of the value chain and include the necessary operational, budgetary, and regulatory conditions and incentives to gradually achieve the national food rescue goal.
3
Examine the Option of Payment for Commercial Waste

There is currently a voluntary mechanism that allows local authorities to charge businesses a special fee for the collection of commercial waste (48). It is recommended to make this mechanism binding on all Israeli authorities. Towards this end, criteria must be established to regulate the amount all businesses are charged for commercial waste collection, so an economic incentive is created to reduce waste disposal in general, and, in particular, food waste from industry, retailers, restaurants, hotels, banquet halls, etc. Any business that is the source of the organic waste will be required to bear the cost of its treatment. Such fees will create an incentive for the food industry, food distributors and caterers to donate surplus food rather than discarding it.

48. Based on the principle that the polluter pays, according to uniform criteria for “excess waste” as defined by the Ministry of the Interior.
4
Examine Possibilities for Governmental Support of Efforts that Reduce Food Waste / Encourage Food Rescue
Support activities and initiatives for reducing food waste / encouraging food rescue, the purpose of which is to help people internalize the environmental benefits of reducing food waste and rescuing food.
5
Reevaluate Expiration Dates
Examine the need to update standards for ‎determining expiration dates of various food products, while adhering to ‎public health standards, and preventing food waste. Such efforts should also explore how expiration dates can be presented more clearly to consumers.
6
Require Food Rescue in all Governmental and Government-financed Institutions
Aiming to reduce food waste by 50% by the year ‎‎2030, as specified by the UN – the goal would be to reduce food waste by 50% by the year ‎‎2030, in accordance with principles laid out by the UN. Setting a national goal will place the issue on the national agenda and more ‎importantly will create governmental commitment to act towards the realization of this ‎objective. In addition to setting a goal, it is necessary to establish measurement and ‎monitoring tools to facilitate ongoing review of compliance with the goal.‎
7
Require Food Rescue as a Condition for Private Businesses to Participate in ‎Government Tenders
Examine the possibility of requiring private entities that participate in ‎government tenders to supply services to the State (not only from the food sector), and ‎who have sources of rescuable food, to collaborate with registered ‎food rescue NPOs as a pre-requisite for contracting with the State.
8
Examine the Contribution of Existing Regulations to Food Waste
There are items in current legislation that contribute to the destruction and loss of good food that is nutritious and edible. A comprehensive examination of the relevant existing law in Israel is necessary so that amendments can be made to prevent food waste through a system of incentives that encourages food rescue and provision to underprivileged population groups.