About 14,000 shekels a year: the gap between a basic food basket and the expenditure of supported families
A study by the Latet organization and SFI reveals that the cost of a basic food basket for an Israeli household stands at 3,928 shekels per month, while supported families actually spend only 2,762 shekels – a gap of 1,166 shekels per month, about 14,000 shekels a year. The organization reports a 32% surge in demand for food assistance ahead of the holidays.
A new study by the Latet organization and the SFI group reveals a significant gap between the cost of a basic food basket in Israel and the actual expenditure of families receiving assistance. The cost of the basket in 2026 stands at 3,928 shekels per month, a 4.8% increase compared to last year. In contrast, supported families spend an average of 2,762 shekels per month on food – an 8.9% increase compared to 2025. The monthly gap is 1,166 shekels, and on an annual basis about 14,000 shekels. The Latet organization argues that the gap leads to a compromise on the quantity and quality of necessary food. Against this backdrop, the organization reports a 32% surge in demand for food assistance ahead of the holidays. The organization's CEO, Eran Weintrob, called on political parties to include measures to reduce poverty and social gaps in their platforms, ahead of the upcoming elections. The CEO of SFI, Yaron Neudorfer, emphasized that the gap stems from economic capacity rather than consumption habits.