A survey on the impact of economic conditions on the shopping basket towards the New Year sets that 52% of the population reported that their expense basket for Rosh Hashanah will be down by 10% to 50% compared with the same period last year. Of them, 6% said that the economic situation will forced them to reduce the costs of New Year shopping cart over 50% compared with the same period last year.
The survey conducted on a national sample by the “Hasdei Naomi” Organization sets that because of the economic situation, 15% of Israelis would rather be invited by family or friends to save money on expenses. From those interviewed, 6% said they shall not invite guests and friends for the Holidays meals in order to save money on expenses.
Rabbi Yossef Cohen, Chairman of the “Hasdei Naomi” Charity Organization, notes that 28% of the respondents stated that expenses for food for Rosh Hashanah shall reach up to 500 NIS, 19% between 500-800 NIS, 18% between 800-1000 NIS and 25% over 1000 NIS.
The “Hasdei Naomi” Charity Organization will distribute to the needy families for the holiday about 10,000 food parcels weighing about 500 tons.
The Institute “Mutagim” conducted, for the “Hasdei Naomi” Organization, a survey on a representative national sample of 500 respondents, about the impact of the economic conditions on spending for the purchase of food products towards the New Year. The survey sets that 52% of Israelis would spend less money on a food basket this year than last year at the same period. Of these, 31% said spending would fall between 10-20% compared to the same period last year. 15% reported that financial cost will fall between 20-30%, and 6% said the financial cost would fall over 50% compared to the same period last year. 4 % cited that financial expenditure will increase this year compared to last year, and 44% said they were not affected by the economic situation.
A prominent phenomenon among those, who mentioned that the economic situation would reduce by over 50% their financial capability to purchase food products for the New Year compared to the same period last year, 1.7% are young people aged 25-34 compared with ages 65 + – 7.2%.
To the question, whether because this year New Year lasts three days (two days Holiday and Saturday) forced the Israelis to take certain action to save money on the Holiday expenses, 15% said they would prefer to be invited by relatives or friends to save money.
9% will allocate the budget planned for 2 days to 3 days of the Holidays. 6% will refrain from inviting friends / guests for the Holiday meal, and because of the economic situation, for the first time 1% will have to accept help with food products from charity organizations.
69% said they are not financially affected by the long Holidays.
A prominent phenomenon among those, who mentioned that the economic situation will force them to be invited by friends or family during the Holiday, that 26% are residents of Jerusalem compared with only 13% residents of Gush Dan, and 6% of residents of the Sharon area.
Among those, who underlined the fact that for the first time they will have to use charity organizations, 5.3% are residents of Jerusalem compared with only 0.5% of residents of Gush Dan.
On the subject of the family budget allotted for food products for the New Year, 11% said about – 300 NIS, 17% between 300-500 NIS, 19% between 500-800 NIS, 18% between 800-1000 NIS, 11% between 1000-1500 NIS and 14% over 1500 NIS. (10% refused to answer)
A prominent phenomenon among those, who mentioned that for the holiday their food budget is between 300-500 NIS, 22% are the inhabitants of Jerusalem compared to only 9%, who are residents of the Sharon area.
Rabbi Yossef Cohen, Chairman of the “Hasdei Naomi” Charity Organization, indicates that this year the “Hasdei Naomi” Organization will distribute about 10 000 food parcels to the needy families. The distribution of food products will occur throughout the country and this represents an increase of 7% in the distribution of food products for the Holiday compared to the same period last year.