The state contributes just 13 percent of the budgets of food aid organizations in Israel, according to the first comprehensive mapping of food aid charities led by the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Sheba Medical Center in central Ramat Gan.

In September, the NGO Latet reported that over a quarter of Israeli families, including every third child, were struggling to access sufficient food for proper development and health.

That meant around 2.8 million people, or 32.1 percent of Israelis, including 1.3 million children, were living with food insecurity, up from 24.9% in 2024.

The new study, published in this month’s issue of Food Policy,  reveals that there are 2,289 active food-aid NGOs in the country, with an annual total turnover of at least NIS 6.18 billion ($2.1 billion).

A third of the NGOs who answered the question reported hiring a total of 28,623 employees, and half reported support from 173,771 volunteers.

About a third of reported turnover came from gifts made within Israel, 16% came from foreign donations, and 16% was in the form of in-kind donations.

Most NGOs were affiliated with the Jewish religious sector, although turnover was higher for secular organizations.

While Arabs account for over a fifth of Israelis and 42.4% of Arab households are food insecure, according to 2023 research figures, only 4% of registered NGOs in Israel operate in Arab communities. (The study cautions that by focusing on data about NGOs, it might have overlooked food aid given by Arab religious institutions that do not formally register as charities.)

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