May has always symbolized renewal in Israeli agriculture. It's the time when fields turn golden with grain, summer fruits ripen, and the harvest festival reminds us all of the deep connection between our people and our land.
Inspired by this unique spirit, we at Leket Israel have been observing "May for Agriculture" for years. This month is devoted to recognizing and thanking Israel's leading food-donating farmers, whose generosity not only supports food security but also safeguards Israel's economic independence.
This year, the month holds deeper meaning than ever. Since October 7, Israeli agriculture has faced unprecedented turmoil. In our visits over the past year to fields in the south and north, we saw the damage firsthand: abandoned greenhouses, severe labor shortages, unpruned vineyards, untreated orchards, and thousands of tons of high-quality Israeli produce left to rot on the ground.
Even now, with the security situation somewhat changed, farmers are grappling with numerous ongoing challenges. Many are burdened by heavy debts, lost entire growing seasons, and face the costly task of rebuilding damaged infrastructure.
Faced with this reality and a strong sense of partnership, we at Leket Israel understood that the fate of Israel's agricultural sector is also our responsibility. Beyond collecting donated produce, we've created a comprehensive support network for farmers. We mobilized tens of thousands of volunteers to help harvest crops that would otherwise be lost, established a fund to buy produce directly from struggling farmers, and developed professional aid mechanisms. We've gone from partners on the journey to partners in fate.
Our close collaboration with farmers revealed moving stories of resilience, creativity, and hope. We learned that behind every box of fruits and vegetables stand extraordinary individuals devoted not merely to earning a living, but to fulfilling a national mission: feeding Israeli citizens and preserving the land and its borders.
From our daily interactions with farmers came the idea for the "Agricultural Snapshot" project - a series of intimate encounters with six farms across the country. This initiative reveals the real-world challenges these farmers face, the creative solutions they're developing, and the deep-rooted faith that drives them to persevere. Through their eyes, we see the true face of Israeli agriculture - not merely an economic sector, but a way of life and a national value.
This year's "May for Agriculture" is more than an expression of gratitude - it is a call for social solidarity. By standing together in support of our farmers, we ensure not only our food security, but our collective strength as a nation. As a society, we must guarantee that these heroes, the guardians of our land and the growers of our foods, can continue their vital mission - for our sake and for the generations to come.
