Contacts continued to take place this week between the Plants Production & Marketing Board, the producers and the current Israeli Minister of Agriculture, Uri Ariel, seeking to expand the annual contribution given to the organization to 15 thousand tonnes of fruits and vegetables, 30% more than in 2014.
This arrangement will make it possible to increase the use of surplus production and better help those in need. In 2014, Israeli charitable associations distributed about 12 thousand tonnes of surplus fruit and vegetables. The agreement also reduces the amount of fruit and vegetables destroyed to maintain fair market prices for the growers.
The General Manager of the Plants Production & Marketing Board, Zvi Alon, stated that "the association is committed to ensure that these surpluses will only go to non-profit organizations and the public without the means to buy it, not to the markets themselves."
He also said that "it is important for the health of socially disadvantaged individuals to consume fresh and quality fruits and vegetables. Growers have them, and in spite of the economic difficulties they have, they see helping others as a welcome and important thing to do."
