For years, Israeli farmers have been donating their surplus produce to Leket Israel to distribute to vulnerable Israelis throughout the country.
Just as our farmer partners have supported those in need over the years, Leket has been determined to stand by them. Since the beginning of the war, Leket has supported farmers in distress by helping to rehabilitate their fields and ensuring that Israeli produce continues to be available to provide to hundreds of thousands of people across the country each week.
In the southern moshav of Ohad on the Gaza border, surrounded by fields and orchards, Yossi Inbar is a third-generation farmer whose connection to the land runs deep. For Yossi, the soil is far more than just a source of income; it’s his home, his roots, and represents a profound bond between man and nature. Every fruit and vegetable planted, nurtured, and harvested is an inseparable part of who he is.
On October 7th, when war erupted in what had once been a quiet haven, Yossi’s community was plunged into chaos and loss. Militants breached the moshav, inflicted harm on its residents, and claimed the lives of close friends and family. Yossi’s wife, originally a member of Kibbutz Be’eri, endured an unbearable personal loss; her grandmother was murdered along with many others in the community.
The extensive damage to the agricultural fields presented a daunting challenge. Neglected fields, crops on the brink of destruction or rotting, and a dramatically reduced workforce compounded the crisis. Many of the foreign workers, who had also suffered personal losses, returned home. Though Yossi understood their need to be with their families, he was left to face the overwhelming task of maintaining his fields largely on his own.
Yossi and his father have been long-time partners with Leket Israel, routinely donating their surplus produce to feed those in need. When disaster struck, Leket knew it was time to return the favor. In no time at all, buses filled with dozens of dedicated volunteers arrived, ready to roll up their sleeves and get to work. Day after day, they planted, harvested, and breathed new life back into the land.
What began as a struggle for survival evolved into a journey of restoration. The greenhouses once again burst with color, the fields were plowed and replanted, and the farmers—who had selflessly shared their harvests for years— are now receiving the support they desperately needed.
Thanks to a spirit of mutual support and unwavering volunteerism, farmers like Yossi are not facing this battle alone. Together, we are reviving the fields and ensuring the continued vitality of Israeli agriculture, all while safeguarding food security for everyone in need.