As Food Prices Surge, Hard Working Families Struggle To Cover The Basic Costs
May 20, 2025
According to recent reports, the cost of basic food products in Israel has increased by as much as 15-20% in recent weeks. Chicken thighs, Grape juice, vegetables, coffee, and many Osem and Strauss products have seen significant price hikes. Even milk and milk products, which are government-controlled, have not been spared. Their prices seem to rise every couple of months.
These are not luxury items. They are staples. And for families already trying to stretch every shekel, the impact is immediate and painful. When cooking oil, fresh produce, a loaf of bread, or a carton of milk start to feel out of reach, it’s not just an inconvenience; it’s a crisis.
Food Prices are Breaking Records, and Budgets, in Israel
A report earlier this year found that Israel has some of the highest food prices in the OECD. For the families we help, the consequences are direct and devastating. It’s not just about cutting “extras,” many can’t afford the basics. We hear from parents who skip meals so their children can eat, or who are forced to choose between buying groceries and paying their electricity bill.
At Yad Ezra V’Shulamit, we see this crisis firsthand. More and more families are reaching out for help: elderly individuals living alone, single mothers struggling to feed multiple kids, and working parents whose salaries no longer cover their needs. The reality of food insecurity today is families who are working hard, doing everything right, and still can’t afford groceries by the end of the month. The food price surge has turned what was already a daily struggle into a full-blown emergency.
Passover Baskets Reach Tens of Thousands, Thanks to Your Support
Despite these challenges, we are proud to share that our Passover food basket campaign was a tremendous success. Tens of thousands of families received holiday boxes filled with essentials—matzah, chicken, potatoes, wine, oil, and more. The price of these items spiked in the weeks before the chag, but thanks to the generosity of our donors, we were able to meet our goals and bring light into homes that otherwise would have faced an empty table.
We are so grateful to each and every donor who made this possible. Our donors gave more than just food; they gave dignity, hope, and the ability to celebrate the holidays with joy. This year’s Passover campaign was an extension of our ongoing weekly food basket program, which provides critical support to thousands of families across Israel each week.
Looking Ahead
Passover may be behind us, but the daily fight against hunger doesn’t end with the holiday. As prices continue to soar, more people are falling under the poverty line, many for the first time, and they are turning to us. We are facing a need to expand our weekly food basket program to accommodate the rising prices of food and the people who can’t keep up with the inflationary prices.
Join Us in Fighting Hunger
At Yad Ezra V’Shulamit, we are fully committed to making sure no family in Israel is left hungry. We deliver food with care, respect, and urgency, because no child should go to bed hungry, and no parent should have to choose between groceries and rent.
Fighting hunger is not a seasonal effort. It’s a shared responsibility. It’s a deeply rooted Jewish value to care for one another, to uphold the dignity of every person, and to ensure that those in need are not left behind.
After such a successful Passover, our focus now is on keeping the momentum going. The families we helped during the holiday still need us, and many more are turning to us for the first time.
Every shekel donated to Yad Ezra V’Shulamit goes directly to food, warmth, and support for those who need it most. In the face of rising prices, together, we can bring stability, dignity, and hope back into homes across Israel.