On this week’s podcast, I had the privilege of speaking with Joseph Gitler, founder and chairman of Leket Israel, the country’s largest food rescue organization. Our conversation explored his journey from high-tech professional to social entrepreneur, the challenges of building a massive volunteer operation, and how crisis moments can become opportunities for unexpected growth.
From High-Tech to Hunger Relief: Finding Purpose in Crisis
When I asked Joseph about how Leket Israel began, he shared his experience of moving to Israel 25 years ago with a law degree and plans to work in the tech sector. However, the convergence of the second intifada (2001-2003) and the post-September 11 economic downturn created a perfect storm of need. Joseph noticed a striking contradiction: struggling Israelis on one hand and abundant food waste on the other. He emphasized seeing “food in abundance” at hotels, events, and farms while poverty deepened across communities. This observation became the catalyst for founding Leket Israel in 2003 as a small volunteer effort to rescue surplus food and redistribute it to those in need.
Building Something Bigger Than Yourself
- We discussed how Leket has grown from humble beginnings into an organization that now moves 35 million kilos of fruits and vegetables annually, rescues 15,000 meals daily from hotels and corporate cafeterias, and serves over 415,000 people weekly through 350 nonprofit partners. Joseph made a crucial early decision that shaped Leket’s mission: never charging the agencies they serve. Despite some partner organizations having larger budgets than Leket itself, Joseph wanted them to focus their energies on “the hardest work” – supporting battered women, the homeless, Holocaust survivors, and at-risk youth, the Beduines – rather than worrying about food costs.
The Power of Collaboration Across All Communities
Joseph emphasized that Leket Israel serves all sectors of Israeli society equally, from ultra-orthodox communities to Bedouin populations. “We’re Leket Israel. We’re an Israeli organization. We work with all sectors of Israeli society equally,” he explained. This commitment to inclusivity reflects his belief that being part of a shared society means working together across differences. The organization maintains a presence throughout the country, from Eilat to Metula, recognizing that poverty exists in every community, not just in obvious places.
Resilience Through the Darkest Moments
When I asked Joseph about his most challenging times, he immediately thought of October 7th, but then reflected on the early days of COVID-19. During those uncertain weeks, Leket’s leadership team feared they would need to make cutbacks or even shut down temporarily as food sources dried up and donations stopped coming. Joseph described planning for the worst as hotels closed, corporate cafeterias shut down, and normal operations ground to a halt. However, what happened next surprised him completely: “The philanthropic world understood” and gave far greater than ever before. Instead of shutting down, Leket tripled in size, demonstrating the power of goodwill built over two decades of efficient, respected work.
Finding Strength in Community Support
Throughout our conversation, Joseph highlighted the importance of Leket’s 95,000 volunteers who spread awareness and bring support to the organization. He emphasized that 90% of Leket’s funding comes from philanthropy – Israeli, American, Canadian, and donors worldwide – with most donations coming in the final month of the year. Joseph’s approach to fundraising is relationship-based, including online campaigns, foundation meetings, events, and word-of-mouth from volunteers who experience the work firsthand.
Practical Ways to Make a Difference
Joseph offered concrete suggestions for getting involved with Leket’s mission. He encouraged anyone interested in helping to visit leket.org to fill out a volunteer form or make a donation. While the distribution center has age restrictions due to safety concerns with forklifts and logistics, families are welcome at the farm in Moshav Rishpon, where “there’s endless work” and kids can participate safely. He also shared exciting news about upcoming greenhouse projects near Raanana where locally grown produce will be donated entirely to Leket, creating new volunteer opportunities close to home.hes!
Learn more about Joseph:
Joseph Gitler founded Leket Israel in 2003 as a small volunteer effort to confront hunger and food waste. Today, as Founder and Chairman, he leads Israel’s largest food rescue organization, supporting over 300 nonprofits and more than 415,000 people weekly with the help of 160 staff, 63 vehicles, and 95,000 volunteers. Joseph is also deeply involved in public service, including roles with Ten Gav, re-specs, The Meir Medical Center, and the Global FoodBanking Network.
