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Israeli food companies, chefs partner to create meals for individuals affected by Israel-Hamas war

October 30, 2023 - from the Food & Beverage Insider:

"Israeli food company, food tech startups, chefs unite to provide meals for soldiers, displaced families

"The Israel-Hamas war commenced on Oct. 7, 2023, and has since claimed more than 1,400 Israeli lives. On Oct. 8, Omer Tal, head chef and culinary consultant for plant-based meat company Redefine Meat Ltd., began an effort to aid soldiers, personnel and displaced families affected by the devastating event. Tal contacted Dor Datner, owner of 12 eateries in Tel Aviv, to partner to help create nearly 6,000 vegan meals in one week, with the help of a collaborative of other Israeli food tech startups, vegan food producers, and 100 volunteers and private chefs. Several food tech startups provided their plant-based innovations as raw materials; Redefine Meat Ltd. donated three tons of its plant-based meat alternatives, including alt-beef and alt-lamb; vegan food producers Green Butcher and More Foods provided their alt-beef products; YoEgg! Foods contributed its plant-based eggs; Creative Pea offered its pea-based chicken and fish solutions; vegan food companies Plenty 4u, Mama Q and Utopi E.y.m. provided nondairy products like cheeses; and Israeli Tofu donated tofu products, including plant-based schnitzel. Vegan iterations of spaghetti and meatballs Bolognese, chicken skewers, fish patties, poached eggs in tomato sauce, cheese pastries and other products were created and used to create fully balanced meal kits, each featuring a protein, carbohydrates, vegetables and a dessert. The meals sustained approximately 400,000 individuals. Though the weeklong effort came to an end, Tal said he is currently working with several smaller private kitchens and restaurants to continue to provide raw materials for 50 meals each day for Israeli soldiers, evacuated families and injured survivors."