Joseph Gitler

Joseph Gitler is an Israeli social entrepreneur and founder of Leket Israel, the country's national food bank.

Influence and contribution

After immigrating to Israel, Gitler saw nutritious surplus food being discarded while families went hungry. He began collecting meals in his car and built a national system that rescues cooked food and agricultural produce, works with nonprofit partners and mobilizes volunteers to support farmers and people in need.

Legacy and significance

Gitler belongs in Moreshet because he changed both practice and law around food rescue. His work demonstrates how a simple observation, sustained over years, can become national infrastructure and a culture of volunteerism.

Sources and further reading

• Source profile — The Jerusalem Post

Information reviewed and edited in September 2026.