The war with Hamas has put the future of many restaurants in Israel in jeopardy. While they are closed, owners are struggling to keep their businesses afloat and staff employed. At the same time, official IDF representatives reflected the need for nutritious meals for combat soldiers. Hearty meals are a meaningful morale boost for thousands of soldiers in the assembly areas and military training bases in the south, where there is no infrastructure for cooking.
To address the needs of both the IDF and the restaurant industry, Asif has initiated Chefs in Shifts | Food for the Frontlines. In this project, restaurants join forces in preparing food for soldiers in a central kitchen, and the food is subsequently transported to army bases in the south. This way, restaurants are contributing to the war effort, and can retain their workforce and continue to provide for their staff.
Asif’s executive director Chico Menashe explains: “We are collaborating with restaurants — small and large — to cook kosher meals in several central kitchens. Every day, combat battalions on a short break from fighting will receive these morale-boosting meals. The soldiers will enjoy them and the restaurateurs and their teams will earn a living — all from generous donations we are collecting for this project.”
The project is made possible through donations, which cover the cost of the central kitchen, ingredients, transportation of the food, maintaining high food quality standards, and of course, salaries for the cooks. A team of Asif volunteers from across Israel is responsible for serving the meals to soldiers at the bases.
Restaurant owners interested in participating on a one-time or recurring basis are invited to apply here.