Cost of Living for Kosher Consumers Rises

New York…

A recent survey by the American Jewish Committee shows that American Jews need $25,000-$35,000 a year to be spent solely on what it termed “intensive Jewish experiences” – defined as synagogue membership, Jewish Center membership, Jewish day school and camp experiences, Federation donations and kosher food. Industry sources say that on average the cost of kosher food has risen by approximately 10% over the last year, and this does not include the cost of kosher foods for Passover. In Israel, the average Israeli family had to lay out an extra $175 for food in 2006 compared to 2005, according to figures released yesterday by the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) and the Agriculture Ministry's agricultural planning authority. While the consumer price index actually fell 0.1% last year, prices for the fresh agricultural products category rose 7.3% and the price of all foods climbed by 5.1%. The fresh agricultural products category includes fresh fruits and vegetables, dried fruit, unprocessed meat, chicken, fish, milk and other dairy products, eggs and honey. These are the grocery staples consumed by every Israeli household for which demand is constant. Therefore, a sharp price increase in this category primarily hurts middle- and low-income families.