Kosher Industry News

With an Albertsons Closing, Dallas Jews Make Contingency Plans for Passover and Beyond Dallas…

In the long run, the rapidly growing Jewish community may be better off and even have more kosher food, but for this Passover many of the city’s 60,000 Jews may have to scramble for alternate solutions. An Albertsons which served the growing Jewish community in the North side of Dallas had announced that it would be closing in the beginning of March, just when the buying season for Passover foods begins. The Albertsons was one of several stores that was not part of the SuperValu acquisition and thus part of the reorganization of the new ownership. Albertsons said it would close six more stores in the Dallas-Fort Worth market, for a total of 11 shuttered stores statewide, according to local reports. These stores were said to be “underperforming.” In June, Albertsons was split into three companies. New York firm Cerberus Capital Management formed a private company with 661 stores, including those in Texas.

Jeffrey Schiller, a former president of both Tiferet Israel and Dallas Vaad (Dallas Kosher), said that “it was most disturbing that Albertsons chose to close the store less than one month prior to the Passover holidays.” Schiller also said that Albertsons was always an important part of the 13-year old annual Tiferet Israel Kosher Chili Cook-Off on March 13th. Despite its closing, Albertsons was making arrangements to supply the 1500 pounds of ground meat it makes available every year, but according to Schiller, this year’s supply will be not be fresh but frozen. The event attracted more than 4000 people at Tiferet Israel in 2006. For the time being Jews who live on the North side will have to travel cross-town to the South where a Tom Thumb store (owned by Safeway) has a broad selection of kosher foods, including dairy and meats, albeit not fresh meats as the Albertsons had sold . Although Passover may be a problem, the future appears a bit brighter for Dallas Jews as Tom Thumb has announced that it will be remodeling a store on the North side and install a full kosher store within a store.

Demographic studies show that Dallas has been one of the fastest growing Jewish communities in America. In the past 5 years, say Jewish leaders, the community may have grown by as much as 20,000 with more than 6,000 Jews believed to eat kosher year-round. At least another 5,000 – 6,000 observe kashrus around holiday time, particularly on Passover. In addition to the Tom Thumb stores, there are a number of small independent convenience stores that cater to the kosher market. One store, Milk & Honey, carries many pre-packed goods, including Israeli items. Dallas has 3 kosher restaurants, including 2 meat and one dairy in addition to several kosher caterers. The Jewish Community Center also offers kosher salads and sandwiches.

Orthodox Jews from New York and other cities have been visiting the Dallas Jewish community of late to show their support for the developing Jewish community. Jewish community leaders speak proudly of their gains in such a short period of time.


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