Heroes in the kitchen prepare vegan meals for heroes at the frontlines

Finding appropriate meals without animal products is challenging in normal times but much more difficult as a vegetarian or vegan soldier waiting to go into Gaza to fight Hamas terrorists. 

To fill their stomachs and strengthen them, 100 volunteers and private chefs teamed up with Israeli food-tech startups and vegan food producers to produce 1,000 nutritious meals a day during the past week for those who don’t eat animal products. 

Throughout the week, the campaign produced nearly 6,000 meals featuring a diverse selection of nutritious, protein-rich dishes. On the menu were vegan creations of meatball-and-spaghetti bolognaise, juicy plant-“chicken” skewers, savory faux-fish patties, poached-egg analogs in tomato sauce, non-dairy cheese pastries, and similar products.

Feeding the soldiers at all costs

Omer Tal, head chef and culinary consultant for plant-based Redefine Meat, Ltd products, posted a message on Facebook about his plans to feed soldiers in the south and received instant and overwhelming responses from eager volunteers. Within 12 hours, an industrial kitchen on Tel Giborim Street (“Hero’s Hill” in Hebrew) was abuzz with culinary activity. The facility had immediately been rigorously prepared to produce meals according to strict vegan and kosher standards with approval from the Tel Aviv rabbinate.

“Even while in a state of shock, trying to contain the horrific events that took place, it was clear to me that we would not be returning to any form of routine soon,” said Tal. “I felt a deep-seated need to contribute in a meaningful way.” 

The morning after the attack, Tal called Dor Datner, the owner of 12 eateries in Tel Aviv, who –along with his partner, Gilad Harpaz – not only offered their central kitchen but took an active role in launching the project.

Several food-tech startups provided their plant-based innovations as raw materials. Redefine Meat donated an impressive three tons of plant-sourced, alternative meat products including beef and lamb analogs to this and other similar projects. Beef alternatives were also provided by the vegan food producers Green Butcher and More Foods.

The rich menu was planned by private chef Noam Carmon, owner of a renowned boutique catering company in Israel.

“We created meal kits each consisting of 20 portions,” explained Lilach Edman, a private vegan chef known for her pasta artistry. “The typical battle rations that normally come in cans can’t provide vegan soldiers with the sustenance they desperately need.” 

“I reached out to the army bases via the group Vegan Friendly to find out how many vegan or vegetarian soldiers are in each,” added Liran Cohen, a private vegan chef. The Israeli Vegan Organization arranges vegan meals for soldiers with dietary restrictions. 

“There were some complex logistics in getting the kits to all the bases and evacuated families,” Cohen noted. “But the soldiers’ reactions have been deeply touching; many expressed that the meals provided them with both strength and a comforting sense of home. They were grateful not to have to rely on battle rations. Surprisingly, even some of their carnivorous comrades sampled our vegan dishes and were amazed.”

Following an intense week, the kitchen has closed but the campaign continues to run in full force through a number of smaller private kitchens and restaurants. “We will continue providing raw materials for 50 meals a day for our soldiers,” promised Tal. “The other companies and volunteers have pledged to continue their part until the end of the war. Moreover, some of the kits are also being earmarked for evacuated families and the 5,000 injured survivors in hospitals.”

“In the midst of the suffering, sadness, anxiety, and pain that continues to affect us, the Israeli community has rallied together to support and strengthen one another,” Tal concluded.