Giving surplus a second life, Jerusalem’s food rescuers are turning leftovers into a lifeline
The Jerusalem Food Rescuers initiative, created by Daniella Seltzer in 2019, aims to address the development of a sustainable food system and promote nutrition in Jerusalem.
In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, Jerusalem residents faced challenges in ensuring food security due to supply shortages. Food rescuers in the city have taken it upon themselves to redistribute surplus food to those in need. Daniella Seltzer, a key figure in the Jerusalem Food Rescuers initiative, rescues fruits and vegetables from the wholesale market that are deemed less visually appealing but still edible.
These rescued foods are then distributed to community centers and various locations throughout Jerusalem, making healthy food accessible to people from all walks of life. The Jerusalem Urban Food Forum, an initiative led by Seltzer, aims to connect food surplus from various businesses, such as restaurants, supermarkets, and bakeries, with community demand in real-time.
This project could potentially result in the distribution of around 7,000 tons of food annually. The Jerusalem Food Rescuers' efforts align with global food policy initiatives, as Mayor Moshe Lion signed the Milan Urban Food Policy Pact in June, committing Jerusalem to becoming part of the 300+ cities worldwide dedicated to creating efficient food systems that provide healthier nutrition to those who need it most.
Written by urgent.news from Jerusalem Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
