Food Pantry in Tel-Aviv Yafo
This effort enabled Growing Peace, together with partners Volcani International and LivinGreen, to implement the first-ever hydroponic system at a food pantry in Israel.
Left to right: Natalie Silverleib (Director of the Food Pantry), Steven Hoffen, Danielle Abraham (Executive Director of Volcani International Partnerships)
Up to 2,100 servings of fresh produce per month is produced – more than 25,000 servings per year.
Here’s a look at what’s been growing at the food pantry:
Growing Peace In Action
A hydroponic farming system, funded by Growing Peace, was successfully installed at the food pantry in Tel Aviv. This is the first-ever hydroponics installation at a food pantry in the country, enabling the facility to provide healthy, fresh, pesticide-free food on an ongoing basis to the food insecure, mainly refugees and asylum seekers, in the local community.
Salem, an asylum seeker from Eritrea and an employee of the food bank, cuts some fresh greens to enjoy from the latest harvest
Dr. Topeka Sam visits the hydroponics garden at the Tel Aviv food pantry
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As many as 86% of asylum seekers and undocumented people in south Tel Aviv were mildly to severely starving due to the COVID-19 pandemic. These findings contributed to the creation of the food pantry by Mesila, the charity Lasova, and the Tel Aviv Foundation. The pantry was set up to serve at least 600 families who visit twice a month.
This underserved community is significant. The UN refugee agency last year said there were more than 32,000 Eritrean and Sudanese asylum seekers of particular concern in Israel. They have been in limbo for more than a decade.
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The hydroponic system that Growing Peace has raised funds to support for the Food Pantry in Tel Aviv has significantly expanded the amount of fresh food available for refugees and asylum seekers in need.
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Working in partnership with Volcani International Partners, Growing Peace has integrated hydroponics into everyday lives to help the underserved community in south Tel-Aviv. With the help of LivinGreen, the completed project ensures a regular supply of additional food for the Food Pantry in Tel-Aviv Yafo.
Through additional fundraising efforts, Growing Peace can extend humanitarian efforts to bring hydroponics to schools, more food pantries, and other organizations that help those in need.
Overcoming Food Insecurity
Watch Steven Hoffen’s latest video to learn more about the ongoing issue of food insecurity that many asylum seekers face. With education and awareness, Growing Peace’s goal is to alleviate food insecurity and hunger while uniting diverse people.
“I met some people who work at the food pantry and they mentioned a lot of their plans for the hydroponics system - how they’re going to teach clients of the food pantry how to use the system. That really got me excited.”
Hydroponics Installation
The Impact
The hydroponic system installed at the Tel Aviv food pantry significantly expands the amount of fresh food available for refugees and asylum seekers in need.
At least 500 plants grow at a time, 30–50% faster than in soil, harvesting every three weeks. Up to 2,100 servings of fresh produce per month are produced – more than 25,000 servings per year.