JICC and Mini Active have finished the first year of a meaningful partnership with Metzilot Mazon – Food Rescuers, a grassroots organization with a big mission: saving fruits and vegetables from going to waste, and getting them into the hands (and kitchens) of those who need them most.
Every week, Metzilot Mazon rescues large quantities of fresh but not “saleable” produce—items that may be slightly blemished or irregular in shape—from the wholesale produce depot in Jerusalem’s Givat Shaul neighborhood. Until now, these rescued goods were distributed primarily in limited areas of the city. But many neighborhoods in East Jerusalem remained out of reach due to logistical and cultural barriers.
Thanks to Mini Active, a network of women in 14 East Jerusalem neighborhoods, which has long-standing, trust-based relationships across sectors and communities, JICC is h elping Metzilot Mazon expand their reach into new neighborhoods that were previously underserved. Mini Active is opening doors and building local partnerships that enable this incredible fresh produce to reach more families, in all parts of the city.
This collaboration reflects JICC’s core mission: creating pragmatic and inclusive solutions that improve daily life in Jerusalem. Food insecurity is a challenge that cuts across all sectors, and access to healthy food should never depend on geography or identity. Together with Metzilot Mazon, we’re helping Jerusalemites put nutritious, fresh, and free food on their tables—while strengthening the ties that connect our city.