Joseph Gitler
Joseph Gitler is an American-Israeli social entrepreneur and the Founder and Voluntary Chairman of Leket Israel, one of the worlds leading food rescue charities. Gitler is widely recognized for his pioneering work in food rescue, addressing food insecurity, and shaping national policy to reduce food waste.
Career and Founding of Leket Israel
In 2003, after observing the simultaneous realities of food waste and hunger in Israel, Joseph Gitler established . The organization began with the collection of surplus food from caterers and quickly expanded to rescue large quantities of surplus agricultural produce and cooked meals.Today, Leket Israel rescues tens of thousands of tons of food annually from a wide range of sources including farms, hotels, caterers, and IDF army bases. The food is then redistributed to hundreds of nonprofit partners supporting people in need throughout the country.
Leket operates an advanced Logistics Center, a fleet of refrigerated trucks, and a dynamic volunteer network.
One of Leket’s core initiatives is Harvest Helpers, which invites tens of thousands of volunteers each year to glean surplus vegetables.
Leket also established the Leket Briut - Nutrition Education program, which works in schools and empowers food-insecure populations with tools and knowledge to improve their dietary health.
Legislative Impact
Gitler was instrumental in the development and passage of the, which provides liability protection to food donors and nonprofit distributors. Modeled after the Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Act in the US, the Act removes a major legal barrier to food donation and has helped transform the scale of food rescue in Israel. Leket Israel’s research and data were pivotal in advocating for the law’s passage in 2018.In 2024, an important amendment to the Act was passed, requiring government bodies to donate surplus food rather than discard it. This update marked a significant shift in public sector accountability and created a legal obligation for government institutions to participate in food rescue efforts, further expanding the scale and impact of food redistribution in Israel.
Research and Reporting
One of Gitler’s major contributions to Israel’s food system is the annual, published by Leket Israel in partnership with BDO and in recent years, the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Environmental Protection. This comprehensive report quantifies the scope and cost of food waste in Israel and offers concrete solutions to improve national food security and reduce environmental impact.Board Memberships and Advisory Roles
Beyond his work with Leket Israel, Gitler has played an active role in other impactful initiatives. His board and advisory involvement reflect his commitment to broader civil society engagement:- Founding Member,
- Board Member,
- Board Member, The Meir Medical Center
- Board Member,
- Board Member,
- Board Member,
- Board Member,
- Former Board member,, where Leket Israel serves as the official Israeli member
- Advisory roles in civil society coalitions addressing poverty and sustainability
- Mentor and consultant to emerging social ventures in Israel and abroad
Awards and recognition
Gitler has received numerous honors for his leadership and social impact, including:- The President’s Volunteer Award, one of Israel’s highest honors for civic contribution
- , for his outstanding work in community and nonprofit leadership
- Recognition from Forbes Israel and The Marker for his influence in the Israeli nonprofit sector