One in four Israeli households struggles with food insecurity, report finds – Ynetnews

Report on Food Insecurity in Israel and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Key Findings from the 2024 Social Security Report

• Over one in four households in Israel (more than 25%) experienced food insecurity in 2024.
• The lack of consistent access to food affected approximately one million children.
• The data underscores a critical challenge to achieving national development targets and highlights the need for urgent intervention.

Implications for Sustainable Development Goals

1. SDG 2 (Zero Hunger): The report’s findings indicate a significant regression from the targets of SDG 2, which aims to end hunger, achieve food security, improve nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture. The high prevalence of food insecurity directly contravenes the goal of ensuring all people have access to sufficient and nutritious food year-round.
2. SDG 1 (No Poverty): Food insecurity is a primary indicator of poverty. The statistics reveal that a substantial portion of the population is unable to meet basic needs, directly impeding progress toward the eradication of poverty in all its forms as outlined in SDG 1.
3. SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being): The lack of reliable access to healthy food, especially among children, poses a direct threat to SDG 3. Nutritional deficiencies can lead to long-term health problems, affecting physical and cognitive development and undermining the goal of ensuring healthy lives for all.

Recommendations for Policy Aligned with SDGs

• Researchers have called for the implementation of long-term government strategies to address this issue comprehensively.
• Policy development must focus on creating sustainable systems that guarantee reliable access to healthy and nutritious food for all citizens.
• This call to action aligns with SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions), which emphasizes the need for effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels to address societal challenges.
• Achieving these objectives will require collaborative efforts between government bodies, non-profit organizations, and the private sector, reflecting the principles of SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

Analysis of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article primarily addresses the following Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

• SDG 2: Zero Hunger

  This is the most direct SDG connection, as the article’s central theme is food insecurity. The headline explicitly states that “over one in four Israeli households lacked consistent access to food in 2024,” which is the core issue addressed by SDG 2.

• SDG 1: No Poverty

  Food insecurity is a key dimension of poverty. The article mentions the data comes from a “new social security report,” which links the issue of hunger directly to social welfare and economic hardship, central tenets of SDG 1.

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

  The article highlights a call for “long-term government plans to ensure reliable access to healthy food.” Access to nutritious food is a fundamental determinant of health and well-being, and its absence can lead to malnutrition and various health problems, connecting the issue to SDG 3.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the article, the following specific targets can be identified:

1. Target 2.1: By 2030, end hunger and ensure access by all people, in particular the poor and people in vulnerable situations, including infants, to safe, nutritious and sufficient food all year round.

   The article’s focus on households lacking “consistent access to food” and the specific mention of “about one million children affected” directly aligns with this target’s goal of ensuring food access for all, especially vulnerable populations.

2. Target 1.2: By 2030, reduce at least by half the proportion of men, women and children of all ages living in poverty in all its dimensions according to national definitions.

   The statistic that “over one in four Israeli households” faces food insecurity is a measure of a key dimension of poverty. The mention of a “social security report” suggests this is being tracked as part of national poverty and welfare assessments, which is relevant to this target.

3. Target 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being.

   The call for “access to healthy food” is a preventative health measure. Poor nutrition is a major risk factor for non-communicable diseases. By addressing the need for healthy food, the article implicitly connects to the prevention aspect of this target.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, the article mentions and implies specific indicators:

• Indicator for Target 2.1: The article provides a direct data point for Indicator 2.1.2: Prevalence of moderate or severe food insecurity in the population, based on the Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES). The statement that “over one in four Israeli households lacked consistent access to food in 2024” is a direct measurement of this indicator.
• Indicator for Target 1.2: The same statistic can be used as a proxy for Indicator 1.2.2: Proportion of men, women and children of all ages living in poverty in all its dimensions according to national definitions. Food insecurity is a critical component of multidimensional poverty, and the figure of “over one in four households” and “about one million children” provides a quantifiable measure of this dimension.
• Indicator for Target 3.4: The article does not mention a specific health outcome indicator (e.g., mortality rates). However, it implies the importance of tracking risk factors. The call for “access to healthy food” suggests that the prevalence of inadequate nutrition is a key concern. Progress could be measured by tracking changes in food access and consumption patterns as a preventative measure related to non-communicable diseases.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: ynetnews.com