Kibbutzim are a living example of the communal spirit that has been central to green living communities. Starting entirely with traditional, rural-style agriculture, Kibbutzim have increasingly been subject to financial stresses off and on during their one hundred years of adherence to socialist ideals. This is no wonder since most of the world’s economy, including that of the agricultural sector, is controlled by a capitalist economic model based on investment and interest. In the face of continual inflation, maintaining the communal way of life in a modern Kibbutz has therefore become something of a challenge.

One of the main strategies that a 21st century Kibbutz may adopt for keeping their communal culture intact is recognizing and intensifying their growing power for any food species or a group of them. Accepting investment from business groups or investors at an affordable rate of interest has been tried successfully in some Kibbutzim and this has also saved a good deal of profit for the coming generation. The best examples of these are Lohamei Hagetaot (aka Ghetto Fighters) and Hatzor – two Kibbutzim that resuscitated their dwindling economic states by relying on soy production. By making profitable deals with investors, usually manufacturers of soy food products, these Kibbutzim are near to becoming multinational forces in the soy food industry. Thus they secured themselves financially while also saving a good deal for communal wellbeing.

To make communal living feasible for families, an inviting proportion of benefits versus work is being followed in the Kibbutzim Lohamei Hagetaot and Hatzor. Demanding some private space goes in tandem with business economy as it gives greater benefits to those who work more for the community. This mode of capitalist living is now entering the 21st century Kibbutz. Lohamei Hagetaot is about to allow privatization of homes and fixing payments (including pensions) according to the work completed by the community members and not entirely according to their needs (as in the classic communal system of life). The changing situation of agricultural based communities, interacting with the corporate world, call for a balance between work and earnings such that the communal living may be preserved without compromising some essential equalities among the Kibbutz members. The quality of life can then go undaunted with a strong financial shelter and satisfaction of the basic needs of individual families.

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