Wasting Passover food is irresponsible – and unaffordable

As the cost of living continues to soar and the impacts of the ongoing war weigh heavily on the Israeli public, households are preparing to spend a record NIS 11.6 billion (some $3 billion) on food for the upcoming Passover holiday — up from NIS 10.9 billion ($2.855 billion) last year.

At first glance, this might seem like a sign of resilience and celebration. But when looking more closely at the data, a troubling reality emerges nearly 266,000 tons of food, valued at NIS 2.7 billion (more than $700 million), will be lost or wasted this holiday. For the average household, this means that of the approximately NIS 3,900 ($1,022) spent on holiday food, around NIS 512 ($134) will end up in the trash.

The findings of a recent study conducted by Leket Israel – The National Food Bank together with BDO reveal a concerning reality that we cannot afford to ignore.

Food prices, especially for fruit and vegetables, have risen by over 10 percent in the past year. And yet, the patterns of over-purchasing and over-preparing remain unchanged. In the retail sector alone, we’re expecting a loss of over 47,000 tonnes of food worth NIS 650 million (some $170 million) during the holiday period — a 7% increase over last year.

Behind these figures lies a stark reality — the deepening social and economic inequalities within Israeli society. The recent war and resulting economic hardships have disproportionately affected vulnerable communities, intensifying the divide between the privileged and the disadvantaged.

The war has taken a severe toll on Israeli agriculture. With nearly a third of the country’s farmland located in conflict zones, and a 59% drop in foreign agricultural workers, 228,000 tons of produce were lost in the first nine months of the war — food that could have fed hundreds of thousands of families. This sharp decline in supply is one of the key drivers behind the rising cost of agricultural goods, particularly fruit and vegetables. Meanwhile, food insecurity is worsening, with 1.5 million Israelis now lacking reliable access to nutritious meals, up from 1.4 million in 2022.

Another recent study by the Midgam Institute, on behalf of Leket Israel, uncovered a surprising insight: the visual appeal of food significantly influences consumer purchasing decisions. Around 40% of Israelis, and 55% of young adults aged 18–24, admitted that they prioritize the visual appearance of fruit and vegetables when shopping. This obsession with perfection leads to unnecessary waste — perfectly edible produce is discarded simply because it doesn’t “look right.”

Even more troubling is the fact that almost one in five Israelis have had to cut back on buying fruit and vegetables since the war began — despite the fact that vegetables are a basic dietary staple. This contrast between overabundance and scarcity is stark and unacceptable.

As we prepare to celebrate freedom and renewal this Passover, we must ask ourselves difficult but necessary questions: Why are food prices — particularly for agricultural produce — climbing so drastically? And why are our consumption habits still driven by image and excess, rather than need and sustainability?

Now, more than ever, we need to rethink how we buy, use, and value food. This means shifting toward precise, thoughtful consumption that reflects both the spirit of the holiday and the reality of our times. Throwing away NIS 512 worth of food per household is not just wasteful — it’s irresponsible.

It is time for a consumer movement that embraces active food rescue, reduces waste, and helps combat food insecurity in Israel. At Leket Israel, we are committed to doing our part. But real change can only come when we all take part — as consumers, as communities, and as a society.

This Passover, please choose not just what you eat, but how you eat — with awareness, empathy, and purpose.