Kosher News

To your health

2008-08-04T06:29:00.000-07:00

Dark chocolate, which contains at least 70% cocoa, has proven health benefits. It contains less sugar than white or milk chocolate and is a rich source of health-promoting compounds such as polyphenols and flavonoid antioxidants (similar to those found in green tea). Studies show that even a small intake of dark chocolate may reduce the risk of the blood clots that cause heart attack or stroke and may lower blood pressure. And, as many people know from experience, chocolate also can lift your mood and give you a boost of energy. Of course, chocolate is high in calories and contains saturated fat, so enjoy it in moderation—no more than 2 ounces a day.

Eggs get a bad rap. Their negative reputation started because egg yolks are a source of cholesterol. But studies have not shown that the risk of cardiovascular disease increases in egg eaters. For example, in a study of more than 115,000 men and women, there was no association between egg intake and the risk of coronary heart disease or stroke over an eight-year period, except among those with diabetes. Women who ate more than one egg a day actually had the lowest risk of coronary heart disease. Eggs also are a great source of protein, and many organic eggs are now rich in omega-3 fatty acids, thanks to a change in chicken feed.

Eating fish twice a week may cut your risk of heart attack, stroke, and sudden cardiovascular death. Fish are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which may reduce the risk of diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, and inflammation. The best for your health are oily and small fish such as sardines, herring, anchovies, salmon (organic or wild), and mackerel (except king mackerel). Large fish such as swordfish, tuna, tilefish, and shark live at the top of the marine food chain and accumulate many contaminants. In general, canned chunk light tuna—lower in such contaminants as mercury than albacore or sushi tuna—is also a good choice.

Artificial Sweeteners: Surprising news for people trying to stay slim: New research suggests that even noncaloric sugar substitutes, whether “natural” or artificial, may contribute to weight gain. Researchers at Purdue University published a study in February showing that rats gained weight when fed foods artificially sweetened with saccharin. The researchers speculated that when the sweet taste of the sugar substitute wasn’t followed by lots of calories, it threw off the rats’ response to calories in general. As a result, they ate more food. Although this response doesn’t necessarily apply to humans, many dieters find that after eating sugar-free food, they compensate by indulging in other calorie-rich sweets.

Coffee

No need to feel guilty anymore about that double-shot Americano that gets you going in the morning. In fact, coffee is looking more and more like a health drink. Among its remarkable benefits, new research shows, coffee may reduce the risk of diabetes, heart attack, gallstones, Parkinson’s disease, kidney stones, and cirrhosis. One caveat is that black coffee may lead to thinner bones, especially in women, but the simple solution is to add milk to your coffee.

Soda

There’s not much good news to relate about soda. Both the high-fructose corn syrup in regular soda and the artificial sweeteners in the diet varieties may kick your pancreas into overdrive, which boosts insulin levels and causes weight gain. Research last year from the American Chemical Society found that chemicals in beverages sweetened with high-fructose corn syrup (called “reactive carbonyls”) may increase the risk of diabetes. In addition, the caffeine and phosphoric acid in colas may thin the bones of those who frequently consume them.

Oatmeal

Oatmeal is most people’s idea of a healthy breakfast, but you may need to rethink your morning meal. A controlled study at Boston Children’s Hospital found that eating only instant oatmeal for breakfast increased kids’ appetite and calorie consumption by more than 80% the rest of the day when compared to eating a vegetable omelet and fruit for breakfast. (Eating steel-cut oats did not spike appetite as much.) The study’s researchers attribute the results to fluctuations in blood sugar that occur after a meal consisting of processed grain products, and they stress the importance of having some protein at breakfast.

Pizza

Pizza isn’t exactly a health food, but it certainly is a food with healthy ingredients. Tomato sauce is rich in lycopene, a powerful antioxidant. Recent studies suggest that lycopene may have a range of benefits, including reducing the risk of cancer and lowering cholesterol and blood pressure. Adding veggies to pizza further improves its health benefits. But stay away from sausage, pepperoni, and other toppings rich in saturated fat—you already get that with the cheese. The biggest concern about pizza is calories and what they can do to your waistline, so order by the slice.

Kosher Industry News

2007-03-14T09:09:00.000-07:00

Passover Season ’07 in Full Swing as Some Delivery Problems Surface

New York... The Passover season has arrived for retailers all over the world but some in this country are experiencing delays in receiving product, a kosher food distributor told KosherToday. Some deadlines for shipments to supermarket warehouses were not met and are causing some problems in “finalizing the set.” With three weeks left until the first Seder night, retailers are hoping that these problems are resolved quickly and are still forecasting record sales, particularly because of many new “exciting” items, Israeli products, and traditional foods used on the holidays. Most chains already released their FSI’s in the Jewish and other media with such brands as Kedem, Osem, Manischewitz, Rokeach, and Macabee appearing most often. Sales of hand-made Shmura Matzoh are well ahead of last year, sources say. Consumers will have many more choices of Matzoh this year including several new brands from abroad. Most groceries have already opened their special Passover aisles. Notable amongst some of the new items on shelves are Gluten-Free and Sugar-Free items as the industry pays more attention to the health concerns of customers for the Passover holiday. One Brooklyn store carried no less than 8 different sugar-free bars of chocolate as well as several brands of dietetic candies. It also appears that kids will benefit from many new snack items, both from local manufacturers and from Israel, as well as several new Cholov Yisroel ice cream products from Klein’s.

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Kosher Wine Tasting Grows in Popularity This Passover Season

2007-03-14T09:07:00.001-07:00

New York…

Tasting kosher wines for Passover has become so popular that it is no longer reserved for some occasional special events. In Washington DC, the Universalist National Memorial Church, a liberal Christian group, held a kosher wine tasting where the proceeds went to an extreme leftist-oriented synagogue. Some of the wines that were showcased included the 2005 Alfasi Cabernet Sauvignon and Alfasi Merlot from Chile, Abarbanel’s Cabernet Sauvignon from France, several Barkan, Dalton and other wines from Israel, the 2005 Bartenura Moscato from Italy and the 2003 Hagafen Merlot and 2004 Hagafen Pinot Noir from the US. Wine tasting events cut across all lines in Judaism. It has become as popular in Reform temples as it is in Orthodox synagogues. Royal Wine, which held its own wine tasting in Lower Manhattan in late February, is promoting these wine tastings, profiling some of the wines that it either produces or imports, including Baron Herzog Chardonnay 2005, Baron Herzog Late Harvest Chenin Blanc 2004, Baron Herzog Old Vine Red Zinfandel 2004, Binyamina Yogev Cab-Merlot 2005, Carmel Di Moscato 2006, Carmel PC Cabernet 2004, Carmel Appellation Petit Syrah 2004, Carmel Shaal Gewürztraminer 2005, Casa da Corca Reserve 2005, Opinioni Verdetto (Umbria Rosso) 2003, Rothberg Cellars CS 2004, and Yatir Sauvignon Blanc 2005. In some synagogues the tastings are a prelude to actual wine sales while in others it has become as popular an activity as the Sunday morning breakfast and the fundraisers for Israel Bonds.

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Kosher Wine Tasting Grows in Popularity This Passover Season

2007-03-14T09:07:00.000-07:00

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Cost of Living for Kosher Consumers Rises

2007-03-14T09:06:00.000-07:00

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.

Coffee and Tea No Longer an Automatic for Passover

2007-03-14T09:05:00.000-07:00

New York...

There was a time when you could buy unflavored and caffeinated coffee for Passover without worrying about a special kosher designation for the holiday. But according to Rabbi Shmuel Singer of the Orthodox Union, that is no longer true. “Our position in former years in regard to coffee had been similar to tea,” wrote Rabbi Singer. “We maintained that all regular coffee, that is unflavored and not decaffeinated, is acceptable for Pesach without supervision. This is no longer true. Some coffee companies add maltodextrin, which is either chametz or kitniyos, to instant coffee. As a result this coffee is not kosher for Passover. Only coffee bearing an OU-P symbol or brands listed in the gray area of the Passover Directory should be used. Both Folger's and Taster's Choice instant coffee remain acceptable. Other brands should be checked in the (OU Passover) Directory. Ground coffee remains acceptable from any source as long as it is unflavored and not decaffeinated.” As a result, people who may have regular instant coffee, that is unflavored and not decaffeinated, from last year that is another brand besides Folger's or Taster's Choice, should not use it for Pesach.

Portland Jewish Community Set to Welcome New Kosher Option

2007-03-14T09:04:00.000-07:00

Portland, OR…

The Portland Jewish community is buzzing with excitement with the imminent launch of a new kosher meat cutting facility at the Albertsons supermarket in the Beaverton-Hillsdale area in time for Passover. The store, which is located in the Jewish neighborhood in the city, has a kosher deli and kosher bakery under the supervision of the local Vaad Hakashrus. According to Yakov M. Yarmove, Corporate Category Manager, Ethnic Marketing and Specialty Foods of SuperValu, “until now, that store has only carried pre-packed kosher meat and poultry.” Yarmove added: “This is very exciting, as it will be the only full-service ‘kosher butcher’ in the State of Oregon.” The addition of the kosher meat cutting facility will offer residents a huge Passover selection of both foods and wines. Jewish community leaders are particularly excited since Portland is a smaller Jewish community, where a true one-stop kosher store is integral to the Jewish community.

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Met Council Provides Kosher Food to 60,000 Families

2007-03-14T09:03:00.000-07:00

New York…

The number of Jewish poor in New York’s Jewish community is approaching 300,000 people, according to Willie Rapfogel, the executive director of the Metropolitan Coordinating Council on Jewish Poverty. Working closely with the Food Bank for New York and City Harvest, Met Council will provide kosher for Passover food to over 60,000 families this Passover season. Met Council’s kosher for Passover package contains matzah, poultry, gefilte fish, tuna, fish, mayonnaise, grape juice, cooking oil, borscht, canned beets and carrots, macaroons, canned fruit, potatoes, onions, oranges, and apples. Met Council will also coordinate community seders for over 2,000 isolated seniors and others without family. In addition to Met Council, numerous other smaller agencies will also be providing food packages and organizing community seders.

News from Israel

2007-03-14T09:01:00.000-07:00

More Competition in US from Overseas Dairy Producers

Jerusalem… It is no secret that Israeli dairy producers have their eye on a significant presence in the US kosher market. Tnuva has already made its move with the introduction of many of its products on supermarket shelves. The Israel Dairy Board is also moving forcefully to increase the presence of Israeli dairy products. G. Willi-Food, which recently acquired Laish Imports, is the latest to eye the US kosher dairy market. Willi, through its Gold Frost subsidiary, is planning to introduce many new dairy products to the US kosher market. Its supplier, Arla Foods, is a major European producer of dairy products. It already has approval from US authorities to import non-kosher Lurpak butter and Brie and Camembert cheeses into the US on behalf of unrelated third parties. Arla has now allocated a portion of its existing import licenses to kosher Lurpak butter and Brie and Camembert cheeses for distribution by Gold Frost. These products will be produced according to Gold Frost's kosher instructions at Arla's factory in Denmark, and Gold Frost will purchase the products directly from the factory in Denmark or from Arla Foods in the US. Shipments of these products to the US may commence once Gold Frost has produced new product labeling in compliance with USDA regulations.

Zvi Williger, President and COO of Willi-Food stated, "We are very excited about this opportunity. Our strategy to bring high-quality kosher dairy products to the US market is moving forward. The agreement with Arla to begin importing kosher dairy products into the US is an indication of the strong growth potential for our product line in this market. We intend to complete final labeling requirements for compliance with USDA regulations in the next few months." In the meantime, Mivtach Shamir Holdings and Apax Partners have signed an agreement to jointly acquire the controlling stake in Tnuva Food Industries Ltd. through an Israeli corporation to be set up for this purpose, in accordance with Apax’s purchase contract with Tnuva. Sources say that the new majority owners are also expected to increase exports to the US.

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Israeli Companies Court Haredi Orthodox Market

2007-03-14T09:00:00.000-07:00

Tel Aviv…by Idele Ross…

Charedi (strictly religious) Orthodox households show the biggest increase in household expenditures over the last five years. A market study conducted by AC Nielsen reports an 18% growth in overall spending while the Russian market has increased by a more modest 3% and among the general public, 6%. The survey, reported in the Maariv newspaper, said that an average Haredi household has 5.45 members compared with 2.9 in the Russian and 3.12 in the typical Israeli household. Among Haredi shoppers, food purchases rose by 14% which is why so many companies have begun to create special campaigns and products to meet the needs of this growing niche market.

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Poultry Popular Amongst Israelis

2007-03-14T08:59:00.001-07:00

Jerusalem…by Idele Ross…

The Agriculture Ministry and Poultry Board are reporting that Israelis are buying more chicken. In 2006, the average Israeli consumed 38 kilograms up from 37 the year before. The Mazon Israeli Food news website notes the trend also shows a 50 percent growth over the last ten years. Poultry consumption in Israel is higher than in Europe: England and Spain report 23 kilograms are consumed per average consumer whereas in Canada and Australia it is 30 kilograms a year. Americans eat the most chicken, some 42 kilograms a year. Agriculture Ministry officials credit the slow but steady growth to innovation and cost efficiency, which have enabled the prices to be lowered. They also note that for Israelis, especially those who observe kashrut, there are not many alternatives.

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From Here and There, Kosher News

2007-03-14T08:55:00.000-07:00

Washington, DC…

Kosher meals were served to some 5,400 delegates attending the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) Policy Conference at the Washington Convention Center. Foremost Caterers of Moonachie NJ was the caterer that included some of these numbers: 20,000 plates, 1,300 servers, 25,000 bagels, 125 gallons of sauce for one entrée, 8,000 pounds of ice, and countless refrigeration trucks to store all the food.

New York… To answer questions that frequently arise during the Passover season, when the dietary laws are different and even more stringent from the ones that govern the rest of the year, the Orthodox Union Kosher Department for the second year has made them available on http://www.oupassover.org/.

Alleghany County, NY…Friendship Dairies, long-time producer of many kosher products (OU-Dairy) is to be acquired by Dean Foods for $130 million. The family business has agreed to be purchased by Dean Foods, the nation’s largest processor and distributor of milk, for $130 million, including costs of the acquisition.

Brooklyn, NY… A Gefilte Fish Eating Contest was held last week at the Essex on Coney restaurant in Brooklyn. Borough President Marty Markowitz was the “master of ceremonies.”

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New Product Showcase

2007-03-14T08:51:00.000-07:00

New Product Showcase

New Wipease Silver, Chrome & Copper Pre-moisten Wipes
By Eda Kram...

Wipease Silver, Chrome & Copper is a non-toxic, pre-moistened wipe for cleaning silver and other metals. It is gentle enough to use on all antique silver and easy enough to use on the intricate details. Unlike the creams, Wipease Silver, Chrome & Copper will not leave a residue. Wipease Silver, Chrome & Copper is quick and easy to use while being hygienic too. The disposables cloths are impregnated with water based formula especially for silver and other metals and is non-toxic and non-abrasive. It is certified kosher and kosher for Pesach by OK Labs. Wipease Silver, Chrome & Copper is available at stores all over the US as well as the UK

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Kosher Industry News

2007-02-18T07:13:00.000-08:00

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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“Tzedek Hechsher” Not a Kosher Issue, Many Rabbis Assert

2007-02-18T07:08:00.000-08:00

New York…

Reacting to an article in the weekly Forward, “Orthodox Slam Effort To Monitor Conditions at Kosher Factories” (February 9, 2007), many rabbis reached by KosherToday did not consider the new proposed Conservative “Tzedek Hekhsher” to be an issue for kashrus. The Forward piece turned the issue of a proposed new certification on the basis of social issues to be the latest spat between Conservative and Orthodox rabbis. But even the Conservatives said that their proposed new hechsher would not deal with kashrus but rather with working conditions at plants producing kosher. The Conservative position followed an earlier article in the Forward that reported on alleged unsafe working conditions at the Agriprocessors plant in Postville, Iowa, a fact that was later disputed by Rabbi Asher Zeilingold of Minneapolis who traveled to the plant with a Spanish speaking congregant of his. Rabbi Zeilingold certifies the non-glatt kosher meats at the plant.

"It's not that we don't care about those issues, but we rely on the federal government," said Rabbi Menachem Genack, who heads the kashrus division at the Orthodox Union (OU). He noted that agencies such as the Department of Labor and Occupational Safety & Health Administration already keep watch on workers' pay and working conditions. “We don't want to impose more on those companies than is required by law," Genack said. Other rabbis also saw the new certification as more of an oversight on the already considerable protection offered to workers by government.

Many of the kashrus officials felt that a new certification that broadened the definition of kashrus would only lead to more confusion in the marketplace. Rabbi Yosef Wikler, publisher of Kashrus Magazine, told KosherToday that the Tzedek Hekhsher “has nothing to do with kosher certification and standards,” which is why he would not include the certification on his widely heralded annual list of kosher symbols and certification that numbered nearly 750 in 2006. Rabbi Wikler, who lists Conservative and Reform certifications on his list, agreed that the Tzedek Hekhsher would only lead to more confusion for consumers. One rabbi complimented the concern of the Conservatives but suggested that they “first should have visited non-kosher plants “which are basically no different than kosher ones” and in any event should be issuing their hekhsher for any Jewish businessman who employs workers, and not just a meat plant in Iowa.”

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Kosher Weight Loss Programs

2007-02-18T07:01:00.000-08:00

Demand Grows for Kosher Weight Loss Programs and Products
By Sarah Cohen... New York, NY…

Demand in the Jewish community for kosher weight loss programs and products follows industry trends, a KosherToday survey found. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention approximately 65% of US citizens are overweight. Obesity has become a growing concern amongst many Jews who keep kosher. While there were no specific sales numbers for kosher weight loss programs and products, the Atlanta Business Chronicles put sales of US Weight Loss programs and products at $34.7 billion annually. The Calorie Control Council’s National Consumer Survey found that 33% of adults, 71 million people, in America are on a diet. While non kosher consumers have various programs such as Jenny Craig and The Zone, as well as a multitude of diet products, there is a new breed of kosher programs that target adherents of the Jewish dietary laws.

Kosher Diet Delivery, a diet delivery program serving the larger New York Area, offers consumers a complete meal plan delivered to their front door. “This program was started in direct response to demand by kosher consumers for a comprehensive diet program,” said Ephraim Zimmerman, General Manager of Kosher Diet Delivery. Zimmerman estimates that approximately 10% of the Kosher Diet Delivery members are non-kosher consumers who “equate kosher with healthier and higher quality foods.” Dr. B’s, a weight loss product retailer, has been offering kosher consumers a wide array of diet products, a medically supervised weight loss program, and a weekly delivery diet program. Dr. B’s products, such as desserts, entrees and side dishes, are low fat, sugar free and generally, low carb. “The need for weight loss products and programs is very high in the Jewish community because of the focus on food during Jewish Holidays,” said Heather Bennett Book, Vice President of Dr. B’s. Says Book: “Our Weight Loss products and programs allow consumers to maintain healthier eating habits.” Melanie Cohen, Weight Watchers Meeting Leader in the New York Area, comments that working in Jewish areas, she has observed an increase in membership enrollment among Jewish consumers in October, following the Jewish New Year of Rosh Hashanah and in January, following the secular New Year. “Although Weight Watchers offers kosher dairy products, kosher consumers have increasingly been asking for pareve Weight Watchers products,” commented Cohen. One kosher distributor who sells many diet items to the growing program “including home businesses” said his business for diet products increased by “about 18%. in the past 12 months.”

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News from Israel

2007-02-18T06:57:00.000-08:00

Israelis Deal with Non-Kosher RealityTel Aviv…
Combined Sources…

While surveys continue to show that the majority of Israelis subscribe to a kosher lifestyle, there is growing evidence of a significant non-kosher Israel. An estimated $1 billion of non-kosher foods are sold in Israel, largely as a result of the large Russian immigration to Israel, including a substantial number of spouses who are not Jewish. Also blamed for the increase is the evolving Israeli culinary habits of younger secular Israelis who are estranged from their parents’ preference for kosher. Many Tel Aviv residents were in an uproar when mini-market super chain AM:PM, a staple of chic secular city life, announced that they were removing any and all non-kosher products from their shelves, focusing particularly on shellfish and meats manufactured by the Mizra Deli. News that non-kosher food was permitted on army bases also created quite a stir and was the subject of discussion in the Knesset. Israeli society always had a number of non-kosher restaurants and night spots, but the growing retail presence is quite new. The Tiv Taam chain is cited as one of those retailers that is building a business from non-kosher Israelis. There is the Mania Deli chain, which caters largely to Eastern European immigrants, but is also trying to cultivate the non-kosher taste buds of young secular Israelis.

While Israelis see the trend to non-kosher as unavoidable, they also point to the astronomical growth of kosher in the country. Said one Israeli food manufacturer: “Non-kosher food is less than 10% of overall food sales in Israel, which is the best indication that kosher still reigns supreme in the holy land.”

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New Products for Passover

2007-02-02T12:07:00.000-08:00

More Innovation for 500 New Products this Passover
Passover Survey 2007

New York… Kosher shoppers will once again find a broad array of new kosher foods and wines for Passover (April 3-10). The KosherToday annual survey of new kosher products for the 8-day holiday included several hundred products that were submitted for publication. (Editor’s Note: Products that were obvious duplications or which were received past our deadline are not included in this review. Shoppers should still determine the kosher certification of products, if wines are mevushal and if food products is non-gebrokst.) Although the criteria was that products must be making their debut in 2007, some of the products submitted did receive limited exposure in 2006 and are included in this review. There appeared to be less duplication than in the past, as kosher consumers had demanded in a recent study by Cannondale Associates. Passover shelves will also have many new products from Israel, including an unprecedented array of Matzos, both machine and hand made. Passover sales account for nearly 40% of annual kosher food sales of nearly $11 billion.

There will again be an unprecedented array of new kosher wines to choose from for the Passover Seder. Of note this year will be Zachlawi’s “Traditional 1816 Arak,” considered by many one of the best arak products to be produced anywhere in the world. From Baron Herzog the lineup will include Chardonnay 2005, Red Vine Zinfandel 2004, Late and Harvest Chenin Blanc 2004(California). Other wines from Royal Wines includes Yatir Sauvignon Blanc 2005, Barkan Altitude 720 -2003, Binyamina Yogev Cab-Merlot 2005, Carmel PC Cabernet 2004, Carmel Petit Syrah 2004, Casa di Corca, Carmel Di Moscato 2006, and Opinioni Verdetto 2003. From Golan Heights Winery: Yarden, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2006 Golan Moscato, 2002 Yarden Merlot, Galil Mountain Merlot, and Yarden Syrah 2002. From Allied Importers USA: Dalton Reserve Shiraz (non mevushal), Dalton Zinfandel is one of the few kosher Zinfandels on the market and the only one from Israel, and The Dalton Estate Shiraz, which, due to a theft 2 years ago was not available for sometime in the US. Also from Israel, the Teperberg Winery, one of the oldest wine families, introduces their line of Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Meritage (Cabernet Sauvignon-Merlot-Cabernet Franc), Shiraz and Chardonnay-Sauvignon Blanc.

In foods and related goods, consumers will have several hundred new items to choose from, making Passover feel very festive but in many respects feel like any other day of the year. From HKS: Sparkling PomeGrape Juice and Pomegranate Juice, Gefen Rotelle (Wagon Wheel Wagon Pasta) Non Gebrokts and Cholesterol free, Kineret Frozen Soup Bowls: Vegetable, Potato and Chicken Noodle Soup, Kineret French Fries (zero grams of Trans fat), Kineret Potato Vegetable Poppers & Potato Pizza Poppers, Tivi Valley All Natural Red Peppers, Bartenura Grapeseed Oil (no carbs, no cholesterol or trans fat), Savion Cinnamon flavored Matzo Snacks, Savion Toasted Coconut Marshmallows, Fireman’s Frenzy Sauces & Marinades, Gadilla Snack Hits in Falafel (Onion and Barbeque flavor all in one once bags).

From Israel comes Alei Katif with a new line of baby spinach; Osem has a new line called Shkedia. Other Osem products include Bittersweet Chocolate Coated Coffee Beans, Hazelnuts, Raisins, Bittersweet Chocolate Coated Citrus Peels Gift Box, Bittersweet Chocolate Coated Mix Gift Box, Jordan Almonds, and a mini can of Sliced Green Olives. Wissotzky Green Teas has two new flavors for Pesach, Apples & Cinnamon and Lemon & Honey. From “Kasher V’Sameach” comes a new line of upscale and healthy mixes: English Cake Mixes, Pancake Mix, Blintzes Mix, Chocolate Truffles Mix and Kneidel Mix as well as Coating Crumbs. From Matzot Aviv comes a new tin decorated with a piece of art by Menashe Kadishman. The picture that was chosen is one of Kadishman’s sheep, due to the connection between the sheep and Passover’s sacrifice.

From Manischewitz: Whole Grain Matzo Farfel and Matzo Meal, Italian Herb Coating Crumbs, Family Size Matzo Ball Mix, Manischewitz Sparkling Grape Juice, Concord and Niagara, Blanchard & Blanchard Salad Dressings come in Traditional French and Thousand Island. Mishpacha Kids Apple Juice and Fruit Punch Tetra-Pack, Mishpacha Kids Apple Juice and Fruit Juice, Manischewitz Cereal: Cocoa Magic Crunch, Fruity Magic Cereal and Sunny O’s. Sultan’s Finest Foods is introducing Pure Tunisian Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Snack Factory is a new flavor of Pretzel Crisps, Honey Mustard & Onion. Neshama is introducing new low fat/low carb chicken and turkey sausages. From VIP Foods comes new Kojel jello flavors. From Rue Lafayette a new Apple Sauce in a Pouch. From Quality Frozen Foods, Izzy’s Best fresh chestnuts.

In addition to the many new items listed above, we also received word of numerous new chocolate and snack items as well as cleaning and other Seder related gift items. One distributor said his list for Passover 2007 is well over 21,000 items, certainly a far cry from what was available only a decade ago.

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Feature: Kosher Appliances on the Rise

2007-02-02T11:57:00.000-08:00

Popularity of “Kosher” Appliances Rises Dramatically
New York… by Sarah Cohen…

A whole new generation of consumers has emerged for appliances that are certified kosher, shows a survey of several appliance retailers in largely religious Jewish neighborhoods. Retailers say that the kosher appliances are particularly popular with newly married couples and with people remodeling their kitchens. The retailers say that many Orthodox families tend to buy the kosher appliances at this time of the year, in the weeks before Passover. Baltimore based STAR-K kosher certification, an international kosher supervision agency under the leadership of Rabbi Moshe Heinemann, has been in the forefront of certifying appliances as kosher. The kosher status means that modern appliances are more kosher consumer friendly for Shabbat and Jewish holidays (Yomim Tovim). By eliminating problematic features such as lights, icons, tones, and digital displays from appliances, the kosher consumer has more flexibility to use various appliances on Shabbat and Yom Tov, within Rabbinic guidelines, while observing strict Halacha.

Jonah Ottensoser, consulting engineer for STAR-K with extensive knowledge in Halacha, “works as a liaison with Rabbi Heinemann and the appliance companies to ensure that the appliances are user friendly for Shabbat and Yom Tov,” said Rivka Leah Goldman, a spokeswoman at STAR-K for kosher appliances. Ovens, dishwashers, and refrigerators, are just a few appliances that the STAR-K works on with appliance companies to cater to the kosher consumer. One of the main issues that kosher consumers have to deal with is the 12 hour automatic shut off feature that ovens typically have. Halacha permits temperature adjustments to be made for cooking and baking on Yom Tov and therefore Jewish consumers would need an oven that can remain turned on for a two or three day holiday. The STAR-K team has worked with appliance companies to override the automatic shut-off feature and make the oven usable on Yom Tov. Goldman explains that although this feature is commonly referred to as Shabbat Mode in appliance manuals, “it is a misnomer, as Jewish Law only permits cooking and baking on Yom Tov. The month preceding Pesach (Passover) is the most common time when consumers are looking to purchase a kosher oven because of the complicated and strict procedures required to “kasher” an oven for Pesach,” commented Goldman.

Many retailers carry the kosher appliances. The most effective way for kosher consumers to identify these appliances is to visit the STAR-K website (star-k.org) where model numbers of all appliances approved by the STARK-K are listed by appliance category and by company. The website also provides consumers with detailed explanations on how to use the approved appliances in order to follow strict halachic guidelines.

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Kosher Food Industry

2007-01-19T14:01:00.001-08:00

Mintel Study Cites Dramatic Increase in New Kosher Products in 2006 to 3,290

Chicago… The number of new food products that were certified kosher in 2006 was 3,290, according to a new report by the Mintel International Group, an international consumer, media and market research firm. According to Marcia Mogolonsky, the chief researcher of a new study on “Sacred Foods and Food Traditions,” the numbers came to light in a cross match with another report that focused on specialty foods. The study showed that in 2000 the number of new kosher products was 211 and has been rising steadily since. These findings would seem to be at odds with previous studies that put the number of new kosher products at about 2,500 annually over the last decade. It also goes against some experts in the kosher market who have speculated that the number of new kosher products has actually declined. They say that most of the large companies have already gone kosher and that there are just not enough smaller and mid-size companies to make up the void. But kosher supervision agencies say that there has been significant line extension by larger companies and that the number of smaller companies opting for the kosher symbol has similarly swelled, a trend which would seem to confirm the latest Mintel findings.

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New Albertson’s Store in Las Vegas Sets New Standards for Kosher

2007-01-19T14:00:00.001-08:00

Las Vegas…

A kosher bakery that churns out some 60 different breads, a meat department as big as that of a kosher butcher, a kosher Sushi department that will now offer the fare for the entire city, 20 freezer doors, a huge selection of Israeli products, fresh appetizers, a deli and soups, a huge assortment of kosher wines and all supervised by 3 mashgichim from the Orthodox Union (OU). The Kosher Marketplace is part of the newest Albertsons store on Bicentennial Drive in Henderson, just a short 15-minute ride from McCarran Airport and a stone’s throw from the Strip. The store opened with a great deal of fanfare on January 10th with the participation of many of the national kosher food purveyors. The accolades by both manufacturers and shoppers kept coming for Yakov M. Yarmove, Corporate Category Manager, Ethnic Marketing and Specialty Foods at Albertsons SuperValu, who now considers the Las Vegas store the new standard in his growing network of Kosher Marketplace stores. Brigitte Mizrachi from the California-based Anderson Cheese writes: “I can't believe what you did in the desert. You have your story now of transforming the desert into an oasis. In your case it goes from desert to treasured land of the most desired foods. It was a treat to feel the excitement of the crowds of Jewish and non-Jewish customers who came for the opening.”

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Jews Still Best Customers for “Sacred Foods,” New Study Finds

2007-01-19T13:59:00.001-08:00

Chicago…

Jewish shoppers tend to be more committed to “sacred foods” than other groups, according to a new study by the Mintel International Group, an international consumer, media and market research firm. Due to be released at the end of the month, the study surveyed more than 2,000 shoppers in an unprecedented study entitled “Sacred Foods and Food Traditions.” Mintel had previously conducted two studies on the kosher market. Although Jews represent approximately 2% of the population, they represent 4% of the sacred food shoppers, according to chief researcher Marcia Mogolonsky, who had also conducted the two studies on kosher. 7% of the Jewish respondents were in higher income brackets; again well above the national average. Kosher respondents are more likely to bring food to family, friends, or neighbors for sad or serious events than for happy ones. The top two reasons to bring food to someone’s home is an illness or a death. While only 6% of respondents agree that there are certain foods that they do not eat because of their faith, 25% of the Jews said that they avoided certain foods. 13% of the respondents agreed that there are certain foods that they do eat on religious holidays because of their faith but Jews were at 48%. Studies indicated that nearly 70% of America’s 6 million or so Jews participate in at least one seder on Passover. The holiday represents nearly 40% of annual kosher food sales.

The Mintel survey indicated that of people who eat certain food because of their faith during religious holidays, Jews again was the leading group when it came to the importance of passing along food traditions to the next generation.

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Competition to Heat Up After El Al Vows to Observe Shabbat

2007-01-19T13:57:00.002-08:00

Atlanta…

Delta Airlines, which renewed its daily flights from Atlanta last year, said it was interested in starting a daily flight from New York to Tel Aviv. This follows an agreement between leaders of the Orthodox Jewish community in Israel and abroad with El Al to keep the airline’s planes out of the sky on Shabbat. This is in addition to increased competition from Continental, which has indicated that it may expand its flight schedule to Tel Aviv from North America by adding a daily non-stop flight from Houston to Tel Aviv. The airline already has two flights a day from Newark. Meanwhile, travel agents say that religious travelers who defected during the unofficial boycott by Orthodox Jews over El Al’s flights on Shabbat following a day long strike at Ben Gurion Airport, are slowly returning. Bookings, they say, by Orthodox Jews on El Al, have dramatically risen. However, the agents say that some of the travelers may very well stick with Continental. Delta may have a huge advantage with a New York-Tel Aviv route because of its popular SkyMiles program. A decision by the airline is expected soon.

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News From Israel

2007-01-19T13:57:00.001-08:00

New Bug Free Producer to Enter Kosher Market

Bnei Brak… By Sarah Cohen… In just two weeks, kosher consumers around the world will be able to find a new brand of bug free produce in accordance with Jewish Law, KosherToday has learned. According to kosher dietary laws, insects in any form are forbidden to be ingested. In the new age of “superbugs” where insects have developed immunity to pesticides, producers have been searching for new methods of inspection to comply with halacha. Like Alei Katif, which first established its greenhouses in the Gaza Strip, Pso’Tiv Produce is growing vegetables, fruits and herbs in the controlled environment of a greenhouse. Bodek, a leader in bug-free produce also now has its own greenhouse.

Items such as Romaine and iceberg lettuce, parsley, cilantro, dill, broccoli, asparagus, cauliflower, spinach, and raspberries, all of which are typically subject to infestation will be grown in Pos’Tiv expansive greenhouses using specially designed mesh and other insect deterring devices. “Strict inspections in accordance with Jewish Law are conducted in the greenhouses and the distribution plants,” commented Cliff Charles, Plant Manager for Pos’Tiv Produce. Depending on the stage of growth as well as the type of vegetables, some of the inspections are visual while others will be done by washing a percentage sample of the produce. The produce will be available for retail the week of January 29th in supermarkets around the world. “The success of this project will enable us, for the first time, to offer 100% clean bug-free produce to not only Jewish consumers but also to any other consumer who desires this product in the US and Canada,” said Charles. The entire project enjoys the approval and rabbinical certification of the world’s leading authorities on religious dietary law, including Rabbi Moses Vaya of Bnei Braq in Israel, as well as the Orthodox Union in NYC. Rabbi Lenny Steinberg of the OU is one of the Rabbinic Supervisors of the Pos’Tiv project.

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Food Industry Says Charedim Buying More Health Food

2007-01-19T13:56:00.000-08:00

Tel Aviv… by Idele Ross, Chief, KosherToday Israel Bureau

The Manufacturers Association says that more Charedi (fervently orthodox) households in Israel bought healthy food products in 2006. The Association’s survey showed that more than half purchased some kind of healthy food products in the past year while 46% of the households bought more diet products in the past year than in previous years, 31% didn’t change their purchasing patterns and 11% purchased less. The survey showed that 29% of the Orthodox households are now purchasing less ready-made food in comparison with past years. Ynet news reports that the Charedi market in Israel represents some 115,000 families or about 630,000 people. The average family is between 5 and 6 people compared to the average Jewish family which has between 3 and 4 people.

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General Mills Israel Building Complex in Ramle

2007-01-19T13:54:00.001-08:00

Tel Aviv… by Idelle Ross, Chief, KosherToday Israel Bureau

General Mills Israel, producers of Pillsbury baked goods and importers of Haagen Dazs ice cream, has announced it has been awarded the government tender for the purchase of several acres in the industrial area of Ramle, outside Tel Aviv, for $1.5 million. The site will be used for the company’s logistic center with the target completion date being 2008. The center will enable the company to grow and develop its products in line with the demands of the local markets. The total investment is expected to reach $3.5 million. General Mills is the world’s sixth largest food manufacturer with branches in more than 50 countries. All Pillsbury Israel products carry kashrut certification.

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Jerusalem Establishments Left With Little Choice But to Go Kosher

2007-01-19T13:46:00.000-08:00

Jerusalem…

Major food chains operating in Jerusalem are faced with the dilemma of either adding or upgrading their kosher certification or face loosing a significant body of potential consumers. The city already has a religious mayor and a majority of religious Jews as well as the many religious tourists who visit the city. Sources say that McDonald’s Israel is in discussion with the Rabbinate about upgrading their hechsher and six branches of the Aroma coffee shop chain recently switched to kosher. Many restaurants in the city are also upgrading their hechsher from the standard kosher Rabbinate certification to mehadrin, a more acceptable level to most Charedi Jews. For people who eat kosher there is always the question at point of entry: “Do you have a teuda (certificate)?” What is written on teuda may very well determine if the potential diner stays in the establishment.

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Kosher Food Industry

2007-01-14T12:45:00.000-08:00

Retailers Expect Slow Transition to Less Duplication, End to Deep Discounting
New York…

Retailers do not expect an abrupt end to duplication of items, particularly not this coming Passover (April 3-10), a survey of several major retailers indicated. A trailblazing study by Cannondale Associates on the behavior of kosher consumers in the kosher aisle indicated that consumers want less duplication of similar items. Released at last November’s Kosherfest, the study also concluded that shoppers of the kosher aisle wanted more original new items and were not influenced by deep discounting. But the retailers say that while there is a serious effort to introduce many new and innovative items, they do not expect less duplication in the short term. They say that some of the “new” items being marketed for Passover are in fact duplicates of other brands already on shelves in previous years. They also say that basic staples like Matzoh will continue to be “deep-discounted” despite growing competition. One retailer said: “I’ve already heard of more salad dressings, jams, and cookies, none of which is different from other brands I’ve carried over the past few years.” The retailer, however, foresaw “slow change” in years to come.

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Life Enthusiast Adds Kosher Wines to His List

2007-01-14T12:31:00.000-08:00

Washington, DC…

The Washington Jewish Week recently profiled Maurie Rosenberg of Silver Springs "a man of many passions,” including sailing, skin diving, and guitar. He also considers himself “an amateur stargazer”. The native Philadelphian recently added kosher wines to his repertoire with a new book “L'Chaim: User's Guide to Kosher Wine 1.0.” "I've been a wine enthusiast for several decades," says Rosenberg, 56. He became a wine enthusiast over the years before beginning to keep kosher in 1990. He hopes his book, with ratings, including what he considers best buys, will create an awareness for consumers and help encourage merchants to offer more and better kosher wines and vineyards to produce a better product. Consumers can drink "wonderful [kosher] wine" for under $15 a bottle, he says. One "starter" wine he recommends is Jeunesse, a Baron Herzog "young cabernet" that sells for $10.

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Kosherfest Best New Dessert Winner Follows Industry Trend

2007-01-14T12:29:00.000-08:00

By Sarah Cohen

New York… The results are in for new products of 2006. According to Mintel International, a global market research company, out of 17,779 food products that were introduced in 2006, 3,761 were organic or were described as all natural, the largest growth category of last year. Another category that is enjoying growth is the desserts category, specifically ice cream and candy. The 2006 Kosherfest dessert winners of the New Product Showcase competition were no exception to the industry results. This year’s winner in the Best New Dessert category was Pierre's Naturally Fat Free, Cholesterol Free Peach flavored Sorbet of Pierre’s Ice Cream. An all natural product, the OU pareve sorbet, available in many flavors such as Raspberry, Chocolate, Passion Fruit, Lemon, Strawberry, is a savory naturally fat free, cholesterol free and dairy free sorbet that is just 100 to 140 calories per half cup serving; a Weight Watchers friendly dessert. When developing this product, the Pierre’s team sought “the very best” ingredients and fruit purees from around the globe. Since the Kosherfest win, Pierre’s Sorbet has seen a significant increase in awareness. “The requests for samples have come from small stores to distributors to larger, national grocery chains as well as restaurants, caterers, and institutions,” said John Pimpo, Brand Development Manager of Pierre’s Ice Cream. In keeping with the healthy trend, Pimpo explained that Pierre’s Slender No Sugar Added Reduced Fat Ice Cream, Soft Frozen Yogurt, Pure Fruit Sherbet and Slender Ice Cream Novelties, all fall under the increasingly popular “better for you” category.

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Popular Cookbook Author Plays to Lifestyle of Kosher Housewives

2006-12-29T06:27:00.000-08:00

New York… by Sarah Cohen… Kosher households nowadays are likely to include two working spouses, a rushed lifestyle, and a need for quick and efficient meal ideas. Susan Fishbein, who has already authored three highly successful kosher cookbooks, wrote her newest kosher cookbook with this lifestyle in mind. Mrs. Fishbein’s Kosher by Design Short on Time, released last month, is the newest addition to the popular Kosher by Design cookbook collection. The new book includes many recipes with short preparation times and short cooking times for people who are short on time. Fishbein explained that the motivation behind the book is to accommodate those people who do not always have hours to spend in the kitchen but would like the pleasure of a home cooked meal. Each recipe in the new cookbook has a preparation time and a cook time displayed on the top left hand corner of the page. “The recipes are quick and easy, but do not compromise on presentation or flavor,” commented Fishbein. The book also describes quick and inexpensive decorative ideas. “Just because you are short on time does not mean that you need to compromise on décor and presentation,” said Fishbein.

The new cookbook also has a new look compared to the previous books. All the recipes in this book are accompanied by a picture. “The people who attend my shows explained that they were not trying the recipes that did not have pictures to accompany them,” explained Fishbein. The new cookbook does contain one section with a very long cook time: the slow cooker section. “Shabbat Observers usually use their slow cooker once a week but with these slow cooker recipes, people can use it during the week to make delicious meals with minimal hassle,” said Fishbein. Fans of the Kosher by Design series can also look forward to the next cookbook, Kosher by Design Lightens Up, which is already underway. This new book will cater to those people who are looking to incorporate healthier eating into their diet.

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Kosher Food Industry

2006-11-03T07:19:00.001-08:00

Oogot Lekol At Bakery

"Tastes to Remember"

1048 S Moline St
Aurora, Colorado 80012
303-343-0804

All baking and decorating is done by Lea Mordehayev who has 15 years experience in baking, cooking and cake decorating. She studied under Chef Malka Ouwadiev.

Oogot Lekol At product's are all fresh and made to order.

Please call two days in advance for small orders or four days in advance for larger orders.

Kosher supervision:
Vaad HaKashrus of Denver
All products are pareve Pas Israel.

Kosher Market Grows by 15% in 2005 – 2006, New Survey Shows

2006-11-03T07:10:00.000-08:00

(New York) Sales of kosher foods in the US grew by 15% in the last 12 months, according to data released this week by LUBICOM Marketing Consulting, which co-produces Kosherfest with Diversified Business Communications of Portland ME. The annual survey released in advance of the upcoming kosher food show (November 14-15 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center) indicates that this is the 10th straight year for double digit growth by the industry. According to LUBICOM, an estimated 11.2 million Americans buy kosher food products on a fairly regular basis with nearly 3 times the amount (21% of all Americans) buying an occasional product, according to the 2005 survey by the Mintel Research Organization. While some of the growth is attributed to the core group of everyday kosher consumers (1.1 million), there is a growing number of consumers who say they buy kosher products for health and safety reasons. Others include vegetarians, Muslims, and members of other religious groups. The number of packaged good items on supermarket shelves is approaching 100,000 with nearly double that number for ingredient items. US sales of kosher certified items is estimated at $195 billion (nearly 40% of all foods sold) while the market for kosher products is $10.5 billion). There were more than 2500 new kosher certified items in the past 12 months.

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Duncan Hines Pareve Decision Puts Focus on Pareve Cake Mixes

2006-11-03T07:09:00.000-08:00

(New York) The news that Duncan Hines had reversed its 2005 decision to make its cake mixes dairy was seen as a victory for consumers clamoring for the pareve cake mixes. It also put a new focus on a category that retailers say has emerged as trendy new kosher product. Some consumers could hardly contain their excitement that they could once again have the Moist Deluxe Classic Yellow - the best selling cake mix in the country - and other consumer favorites such as Devil’s Food, Lemon Supreme and Butter Recipe Golden. According to the Orthodox Union, which certifies Duncan Hines, pareve production began in September and Duncan Hines has begun shipping product to stores. It should be in most locations by November and December, the company says. “We are very excited to again offer Duncan Hines Moist Deluxe Cake Mixes as non-dairy pareve products,” declared Chief Executive Officer Jeff Ansell. “We are now able to ensure that our production facilities can produce dairy-free product with certainty. This is based on moving our dairy-based cakes to another production facility. We made this shift in production because we wanted to once again offer our long-time and valued pareve consumers non-dairy cake mixes. It was a difficult decision last year to change away from pareve. We heard both from consumers and trade customers and that is why we worked hard to make the move back to pareve,” said Ansell. “Successful companies make smart decisions, even if it means reversing a previous decision,” declared Rabbi Menachem Genack, CEO of OU Kosher.

When Duncan Hines decided to go dairy, the void was immediately filled by the R.A.B. Food Group, under its Manischewitz brand. Retailers say that the Manischewitz cake mixes have become a “best seller.” R.A.B.’s Vice President of Marketing David Rossi credits the Manischewitz success to the Duncan Hines decision. “Duncan Hines has noticed the success that we’ve had with our pareve line of cake mixes, and they want to win back their popularity,” said Mr. Rossi. He believes that Duncan Hines saw “a drop in sales since switching to dairy and probably regretted that decision.” The OU certified Manischewitz is producing the first ever “Ready to Spread Pareve Cake Frosting.” The growing pareve cake mix market recently added yet another newcomer, Brooklyn-based Willmark’s ‘Just Add Water’ Pareve Cake Mixes. Available in convenient 24oz. packaging, these fully prepared, ‘just add water’ mixes, are available in Chocolate Cake, Yellow Cake, White Cake, and Brownie. Willmark has been supplying commercial and retail bakeries all over the USA for over 50 years. Willmark’s dual Kosher certification includes Rabbi Shmuel Dovid Beck of Flatbush, NY and the nationally known Kof-K Kosher Supervision. Retailers say that a growing cadre of younger kosher consumers are using the cake mix products as a way of “doing home quality gourmet baking.”

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Kosher Dairy an Opportunity, Experts Tell Seminar

2006-11-03T07:07:00.000-08:00

(New York) An impressive group of manufacturers of kosher dairy products heard marketing experts call “kosher dairy” an opportunity. The occasion was a first-ever seminar convened by the Orthodox Union for its dairy certified companies. Menachem Lubinsky, president of LUBICOM Marketing Consulting and editor-in-chief of KosherToday said “dairy companies have an enormous opportunity to take advantage of lifestyle trends that make dairy important in the daily diet.” Lubinsky also noted that dairy companies that help consumer with new ideas for product usage tend to increase sales dramatically. Yaakov Rusinov, who heads the kosher marketing category for Wakefern (ShopRite chain), presented some impressive facts about the chain’s leading role in kosher retailing. He added that while the company’s estimated 250,000 kosher consumers are but a fraction of its overall consumer base, “they represent a significantly higher percentage of dollar sales than their numbers would indicate.” The dairy professionals from throughout North America gathered at OU headquarters on October 26th for a full-day program designed to help them resolve the sometimes conflicting needs of plant production vs. kosher concerns, and thereby expand their kosher market. The audience of the seminar included dairy industry plant managers; directors of quality assurance, production and marketing; and officials with responsibility for a dairy company’s kosher program.

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2006-11-03T07:04:00.000-08:00

Kosherfest New Product Winner Literally Goes Nuts

(Louisville, KY) by Sarah Cohen... No sooner was the announcement made that Najla’s Gone Nuts has won this year’s best new product at Kosherfest 2006 that the phones at the company were ringing off the hook. Najla Aswad could hardly contain her excitement that the judges in the Best Product Competition picked her blend of nuts for the Best Snack Food and Best In Show categories. Ms. Aswad had discovered the value of coming up with a new kosher product and looks forward to taking advantage of her big win at the upcoming Kosherfest, November 14-15 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. The Gone Nuts product is a blend of macadamia nuts, pecans, walnuts and almonds, with a mix of sweet and spicy seasonings. The product contains no butter, oil or trans fat and is pareve, certified by the Orthodox Union(OU). “We named our product ‘Gone Nuts’ because most companies focus on one particular nut. We decided to “go nuts” and focus on four different kinds of nuts,” says Ms. Aswad. Najla is not new to the food business. In fact, her career spans two decades that include catering in Binghamton, NY. It was the catering that gave rise to her first idea, Najla’s Cookies, and now her award-winning Gone Nuts product. The nuts idea came to her after relocating to Louisville, KY when she decided to devote all her attention to her product lines. Her new manufacturing facility is certified kosher by the OU and alternates between the pareve products like the nuts and the dairy products like the Gone Chunky cookies. Ms. Aswad is pleased that she made the move to kosher. “It opened up my whole business to a much broader market,” she says. And with the recognition she received at Kosherfest, that decision looms even larger.

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News from Israel

2006-11-03T07:00:00.000-08:00

Israel’s Deputy Prime Minister Eli Yishay to Visit Kosherfest
(New York) Eliyahu Yishai, Israel’s Deputy Minister of Industry, Trade, and Labor, will visit Kosherfest on Wednesday, November 15th, the second day of the annual international kosher food show which takes place at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. The visit by the senior Israeli official brings back memories of the 2003 visit of the then Vice Premier Ehud Olmert, who is today Israel’s Prime Minister. Minister Eliyahu (Eli) Yishai was appointed Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Industry, Trade and Labor in May 2006. He is also Chairman of the (Sephardi) Shas Party. Minister Yishai has served in the Knesset since 1996. The Deputy Prime Minister will pay particular attention to the large pavilion of Israeli food manufacturers, under the aegis of the Israel Export Institute.

On Again – Off Again Israeli Tourist Industry Seeks Help
(Tel Aviv) Israel’s tourist trade is putting heavy pressure on the government to address what one hotelier called the “on-again off-again” tourist industry in Israel. Tourism Minister Isaac Herzog is asking the government to allocate $150 million over the next three years to market Israel as a tourist destination abroad. "We are working with emergency intentions to help the tourism industry and restore Israel as an attractive tourist destination on the world map," said Herzog. "In order to make this goal a reality, we need to increase our marketing efforts as a long-term policy within the framework of the budget." Within days after the lucrative holidays, many hotels in Israel reverted back to 15% occupancy rate. Hotels in the North, already devastated by the War in Lebanon, could hardly hide their anger that more was not done on their behalf including government subsidies to preserve their infrastructure. The Israel Hotels Association is leading the charge that the government move from a relatively passive involvement to more active intervention, which they mean to indicate that the $10 million government budget on tourism was far from sufficient.

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From Here and There... Kosher News

2006-11-03T06:57:00.000-08:00

(New York) Vinegar and enzymes are the newest recorded topics, as the Kosher Tidbits radio program of the Orthodox Union’s Kashrut Division adds to its list of presentations intended to explain the finer points of Jewish Kosher law to a worldwide audience. Kosher Tidbits, a comprehensive series of 15-minute broadcasts on a wide variety of topics, can be heard on OU Radio, www.ouradio.org, as well as on oukosher.org.

(New York) In a first-time program, the Orthodox Union will pay tribute to several Rabbinic Coordinators at a Melave Malka of Appreciation and Recognition, on Saturday, December 9, at 7:30 p.m. at the Renaissance Ballroom in Brooklyn. The awards, which will include financial stipends, will be presented to three Rabbinic Coordinators. The event and award are sponsored by the OU’s Rabbi Dr. Eliyahu Safran and his wife Klara in memory of their parents. The tribute marks the first time that a senior professional of the OU has established an award to recognize the excellence of his colleagues. The Safrans have announced a three-year commitment to the award program.

(Pittsburgh) A new Trader Joe's in East Liberty is carrying a full complement of kosher food products, including meats. The store is the latest discount store to add kosher food products to their stores.

(Tel Aviv) McDonalds Israel will post a $4 million profit on nearly $95 million in sales in 2006. The company posted $85 million in sales in 2005. Franchisee Omri Padan said, “We lost nearly $2 million during the war as the branches in the north were closed. We planned to open five branches, but were forced to postpone them. We lost sales in the north for an entire month.” The increase in the company’s sales this year is partly thanks to the opening of ten new branches, including kosher ones. The company will open twelve branches in 2007, including two kosher ones.

(Tel Aviv) A Rishon LeZion Magistrates Court judge fined Super-Sol more than $100,000 on Friday, in a plea bargain in an indictment for overcharging on price controlled items. Three managers were also fined.

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New Product Showcase

2006-11-03T06:54:00.000-08:00

New Twizzlers Rainbow Twists by Hershey’s ...by Eda Kram
Noshers beware: The Hershey Company has just launched a new Twizzlers in a rainbow of delicious fruity flavors! Each pack contains 6 Twizzlers Twists and the assortment includes 6 fabulous flavors: Strawberry, Orange, Lemonade, Watermelon, Blue Raspberry, and Grape. As are so many products produced by Hershey’s, the new Twizzlers is certified by the Orthodox Union (OU). For more information and to order these products, call 800-468-1714, or visit: http://www.hersheys.com.

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News from Israel

2006-10-04T13:06:00.001-07:00

Israel’s Tourism Surges For Succoth But Future Is Still Uncertain

(Tel Aviv) El Al Israel Airlines is flying at capacity this week with all seats virtually sold out. The same is true for Continental, Israir, and Delta, the other carriers with regular service to Tel Aviv. An estimated 30,000 American Jews will be spending the Succoth/Shemini Atzereth/ Simhat Torah holiday (October 7 – 15) in Israel, some arriving via European carriers that were offering lower fares than the direct flight carriers. Hotels in Jerusalem are taking full advantage of the demand, charging as much as $800 a night and $130 a meal (excluding beverage and tips) in a preferred Succah. Before this summer’s hostilities in the North, Israeli tourism officials were projecting that some 2.6 million tourists would visit Israel, but now officials are re-examining their estimates. Israel’s Minister of Tourism, Isaac Herzog, was in New York last week trying to stimulate both Jewish and Christian tourism to Israel. The minister helped kick off new television spots and met with Christian leaders while in the US. The visitors to Israel for Succoth include many well-known wealthy Orthodox Jews from around the country. Officials are trying to stimulate tourism during the last quarter of 2006 to make a serious effort to come close to their original projections.

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Jewish Recipes and Jewish Cooking

Many New Products on Shelves for Succoth

2006-10-04T13:05:00.001-07:00

(New York) Many consumers were amazed at the array of honeys sold in kosher sections this year. Favored honey, gourmet honey, and even organic honey made some consumers ask store clerks, “where’s the regular honey?” But grocery shelves carried many other new items going into the holiday of Succoth, which begins this Friday at sundown and ends at sundown on October 15th with Simchat Torah. The HKS/Kedem family has been one of those large distributors that have given customers new choices like Tivi Valley vegetarian selections for the growing number of people who wish to stay away from meat or dairy. The frozen dishes include vegetarian patties, schnitzels, drumsticks, and burgers. The health conscious could wash down the meals with Kedem's pomegranate and grape blend of juices. Yehuda Matzos is no longer a Passover staple. It is now on shelves all year long along with the popular domestic brands of Streit’s and Manischewitz. The matzos are available in whole wheat, egg & onion, garlic & poppy together with salted or unsalted pack. Yehuda also offers garlic-flavored humus. This being a snack season for kids, there were many new candies from Paskesz, Elite and Gedilla. Retailers say that they were quite surprised with the many new items, which were previously reserved for the Passover season. Retailers expect sales to grow by 12% - 15% over the holiday period.

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Jewish Recipes and Jewish Cooking

US Hotel Industry Pays Increasing Attention to Kosher Clientele

2006-10-04T13:03:00.000-07:00

(Chicago) The new Westin Chicago North Shore Hotel located in Wheeling, Illinois, scheduled to open this month, will include two totally independent kosher kitchens, one for meat functions and another for dairy, all under the supervision of the Chicago Rabbinical Council(CRC). This may very well be the first major hotel chain to offer both kosher meat and dairy. Many hotels in major cities have designated kosher kitchens to serve the growing demand for kosher catering. Mr. Rupert Spies, Senior Lecturer, Hospitality Facilities and Operations, School of Hotel Administration at Cornell University in Ithaca, NY, is preparing his students for a career in which they are destined to come into increasing contact with kosher. He recently took his students on a tour of New York hotels including the Waldorf Astoria and the New York Marriott at the Brooklyn Bridge to learn more about kosher catering. Addressing the students, Menachem Lubinsky of KosherToday explained the intricacies of the kosher market and the implications on kosher foodservice: “With 15%-20% annual growth, kosher catering is rapidly becoming a key driving force of the kosher market in general.” Mr. Jorge Vargas, the Food & Beverage Director at the Brooklyn Marriott said that kosher represents about 20% of the hotel’s catering. Most New York hotels are said to do approximately 10%-20% of their food and beverage service as kosher. Passover is a key profit period for resort hotels in the US with new hotels being added each year. One source put annual kosher catering sales in the US at nearly $1 billion. Many hotels are investing into their kosher programs by not only designating kosher kitchens but training staff, purchasing special utensils and equipment, and offering individual meals to business clients.

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Jewish Recipes and Jewish Cooking

Rabbis Debate Role of Mashgiach Temidi

2006-10-04T13:01:00.000-07:00

(New York) Rabbi Zev is a mashgiach temidi at a local kosher restaurant. The rabbi has the key to the freezer where the meat is stored, he turns on the oven when he arrives just before 10 in the morning and he checks shipments of meat and other ingredients when they arrive. If Rabbi Don Yoel Levy, who heads the Brooklyn-based OK Kosher Certification agency had his way, Rabbi Zev would be doing a lot more. “I believe that the mashgiach temidi must have a full record of what comes in and what goes out,” he noted. In meetings following the Monsey scandal (where non-kosher poultry was sold by a “respected” kosher butcher) last month, one of the main proposals to prevent a reoccurrence was to require a mashgiach temidi (full-time kosher supervisor) in establishments where kosher food was repackaged. Rabbi Levy said that the “mashgiach must be fully engaged, totally involved with other staff persons, and be accountable to a senior rabbinic supervisor.” Some rabbis complained that many supervisors like Rabbi Zev spend most of their day reading a newspaper or actually studying the Talmud. According to Rabbi Moshe Elefant, the COO of the Orthodox Union (OU), the passive rabbi was common many years ago “when rabbis were severely underpaid and not given much authority. Today the OU encourages their mashgichim to be involved in other aspects of the plants they supervise without ever loosing sight of their main mission.” To assure that rabbis are fully engaged, the OU dispatches senior supervisors to check on their mashgichim. Like the OK, the Orthodox Union requires that mashgichim have the keys to the kosher products and in some cases, to the establishment itself. Rabbi Aaron Teitelbaum, the Nierbarter Rav, recently informed consumers that mashgichim in a Brooklyn kosher butcherie falsely rumored to be involved with the Monsey butcher actually had “the keys to the butcher store.”

Most of the rabbis who spoke to KosherToday agreed that a mashgiach temidi should be fully involved in the operations they supervise. Rabbi Levy even suggested that they maintain a relationship with staff members if only for the reason that “the workers are the best source of information.” One rabbi said that the “rabbi must be kept busy so that he is alert to any possible violation of kosher food laws.”

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Jewish Recipes and Jewish Cooking

Kosher Food Industry

2006-10-04T12:55:00.000-07:00

FEATURE: New York’s Kosher Restaurants Vow to Adjust to Trans Fats Restrictions (New York) Kosher restaurants say that they will adjust their menus to meet proposed restrictions on the use of trans fats, although some were clearly unhappy. The New York City Board of Health last week unveiled a proposal that would sharply limit the use of ingredients that contain the artery-clogging substance, commonly listed on food labels as partially hydrogenated oil. If the ban goes into effect, offenders could face fines of up to $2,000 for each violation. A similar plan to restrict trans fats in restaurant food has been proposed in Chicago and is still under consideration, although it has been ridiculed by some as unnecessary government meddling. The latest version of the Chicago plan would only apply to companies with annual revenues of more than $20 million, a provision aimed exclusively at fast-food giants. New York's health department had asked restaurants to impose a voluntary ban last year but found use of trans fats unchanged in recent surveys. Under the New York proposal, restaurants would need to remove artificial trans fats from cooking oils, margarine and shortening by July 1, 2007, and all other foodstuffs by July 1, 2008. It would not affect grocery stores. It also would not apply to naturally occurring trans fats, which are found in some meats and dairy.

Elan Kornblum, publisher of Great Kosher Restaurant Magazine commented, “if all (kosher) restaurants have to do it, they will all be on same playing field.” He added: “Chefs will have to be creative in order to provide the same great taste as before. This ban would be healthier for consumers and therefore it’s a good idea.” Hyam Maryles, the Food and Beverage Director of the Prime Grill Restaurant, located in Midtown Manhattan, said that his restaurant has always focused on providing clients with a healthier menu while acknowledging that it also included fatty foods. “If the ban were to be instituted it would not pose a great problem for us. We have talented chefs who are able to change recipes on a whim.” Brocha Landau, Manager of Dougies in Brooklyn, felt the ban “would have a negative impact on kosher restaurants, especially the franchise restaurants.” She added: “A lot of restaurants have items on the menu with trans fats. We would have to change our recipes, change the way our foods are prepared and change how we buy our foods.” Michael Weltz, General Manager Park East Grill & Park East Caterers, said: “I think the proposed ban on trans fats ingredients is a step in the right direction. Even though it is more expensive to do without them, we stopped using trans fats months ago.” Yuliya Mazur, owner of Grill de Paris, told KosherToday correspondent Sarah Cohen, “We are no longer using trans fats at all in our restaurant and therefore this proposed ban poses no problem to our restaurant.” Scott Magram, CEO of My Most Favorite Dessert in Midtown Manhattan, was concerned whether certain products could be made for Passover. “If the ban becomes a reality and there is not a Passover product available, it will impact us tremendously.” Author, Chef and restaurateur Jeff Nathan was also amongst the group of restaurants who thought the proposal was “absolutely ridiculous.” He noted “We're permitted to buy cigarettes, cigars and alcohol, but not trans fat?” Nathan said that he rarely uses trans fats. “By chance, we use very little of it...it's part of the margarine spread offered before every meal, and as a part of ingredients like Crisco shortening to be used in our baked products. After all, as a meat restaurant, we often substitute shortening and margarine for butter.” Nathan felt that the ban would have a very detrimental effect on desserts.

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Jewish Recipes and Jewish Cooking

Rabbis and Community Look for Elusive Answers

2006-09-20T17:35:00.000-07:00

Monsey, NY

At meetings this week of rabbinic groups and certification agencies, a number of proposals were floated to protect kosher consumers from the type of scandal that rocked the community just a fortnight ago. Shevach Meats, a popular glatt kosher butcher, was caught selling non-kosher poultry as kosher. One rabbi suggested banning the sale of fresh meats in supermarkets and returning to the days of the local kosher butcher. Others promoted the idea of requiring a mashgiach temidi, permanent kosher supervisor, at such stores, while another proposal called for rabbis and agencies to have the keys, codes for alarms, and combinations to establishments selling fresh meat. Meanwhile rabbis were busy quashing rumors that a popular Boro Park butcher was also involved in the scandal. One rabbi said that the store had actually been fingured by Mr. Shevach (the name given the proprietor of the store believed to have sold the non-kosher chickens) but that a close inspection of the store showed that there was no basis for the accusation. A source told KosherToday that rabbis interviewing Mr. Shevach found his story to be “less than credible” which was confirmed by a subsequent investigation of the Brooklyn store. A letter signed by a prominent rabbi was posted in synagogues this past weekend confirming that the Brooklyn butcher was not under any suspicion.

Residents of the community were still asking “how it could have happened” in their community. This past Sunday was declared a fast day in the community to atone for the unsuspecting violation of kashrus law by so many residents. Some residents are temporarily going vegetarian while others are eating only on paper and plastic plates and using plastic utensils. The scrubbing and cleansing of kitchens continues in many homes, but most unnerving for the residents and even for those not living in the community is the constant spade of rumors that this scandal goes far beyond the sale of chickens in the Hatzlocho Kosher Supermarket, which was supplied by Shevach. A prominent rabbi in Flatbush charged consumers with being too complacent and urged that they demand a mashgiach temidi in every establishment that sells fresh meat, even if it has to cost the store an estimated $50,000 a year, which will surely result in higher prices. While many consumers were ready to pay the surcharge, they wondered out loud whether rabbis are not too trusting of those owners they consider beyond rapproach. “After the scandal two years ago in Flatbush (where a glatt kosher takeout store sold kosher meat as glatt kosher),” said the rabbi, “there were promises of change, but nothing happened.” The question that many are asking these days is if the more serious scandal in Monsey will at last prompt both rabbis and the community into action.

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Kosher News

New Wines for Rosh Hashanah Continue Upward Move

2006-09-20T16:33:00.000-07:00

(New York)

The dramatic developments within the kosher wine industry in recent years has meant that there is always something to look forward to when the Jewish holidays approach, and this Rosh Hashanah will be no exception. For Bayonne, NJ-based Royal Wines, teasing the palate of the wine connoisseur has become commonplace on the eve of every Jewish holiday. This year it is Capcanes, a boutique wine that has been described as “one of the finest kosher wines I have ever tasted” by Robert Parker the guru of sophisticated wines. Winemaker Jurgen Wagner discovered Capacanes in the elevated but deserted Catalan mountains, a co-op of around 80 Spanish Catholic farmers who passed on the grapes (and profits) to a large conglomerate who in turn directed the production of a dry red table wine and its worldwide distribution. Several years ago, thanks to a family connection that pressed for a locally made kosher wine for the Jewish community, Peraj Ha’Abib was created. This Sephardic name means Early Spring Flower (Flor de Primavera in Spanish). For the farmers it heralded as a first attempt at fully producing a wine. Today, German-born Mr. Wagner, together with 2 colleagues, oversees the entire wine production at Capcanes. Peraj Ha’Abib retails in the $45.00 range.

Meanwhile, Israel continues to be the source of many new kosher wines including Carmel’s Merlot 2004, upper Galilee, Carmel’s Petit Syrah 2004, Judean Hills, Carmel’s Carignane 2004, Zichron Ya'akov, Carmel’s Sauvignon Blanc 2005, Ramat Arad, Dalton’s Chardonnay reserve 2005, Dalton’s Sauvignon Blanc reserve 2005, Binyamina’s Yogev Cabernet Sauvignon- Merlot 2005, Binyamina, Yogev, Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz 2005.

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Kosher News

Best New Kosher Products to be Selected on October 18th

2006-09-20T16:20:00.000-07:00

Portland, ME

A distinguished panel of food industry professionals will select the winners of the best new kosher products at the upcoming Kosherfest (November 14-15, Jacob K. Javits Convention Center) on October 18th. The judges will make their choices for 15 categories, including beverages, wines, beer or spirits, meats, seafood or poultry, cheese or dairy, pastas, rice, beans or soups, baked goods, breads, grains or cereals, jams, preserves or spreads, snack foods, savory condiments, spices and sauces, oils, vinegars or dressings, desserts, candies, cookies or crackers, foodservice products, packaging/design, Passover products, and fine foods from Israel. The products must be received by October 6th. The competition is co-sponsored by Kosherfest 2006, the Kosher Food Distributors Association and the National Association for Specialty Foods. The competition has become an important event for the kosher food industry with winning manufacturers proudly touting the quality of their recognized new products.

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Kosher News

Matzoh Balls, Kugel, Gefilte Fish for Rosh Hashanah, but all Not Kosher

2006-09-20T16:00:00.000-07:00

New York

Imagine a “High Holy Days menu” that is not holy. Why? It is not kosher. After describing such holiday “classics” as light & fluffy matzoh balls, brisket, potato kugel and homemade gefilte fish, Balducci’s ad (The Jewish Week, September 15, 2006) concludes with “And while all of our holiday food is fabulous, it is not in fact Kosher.” Sources tell KosherToday that Balducci’s is not the only one to advertise holiday fare that is not kosher, with many using the traditional “kosher style” to further create confusion. The practice is more commonplace on Passover when even publications like The New York Times list the non-kosher eateries for the holiday while advertising the traditional dishes and even using such words such as matzoh balls and tzimmes to appear to be traditional. Rabbis reached by KosherToday were aghast that a “High Holy days menu” would be non kosher. Said one: “To use the holiest days on the Jewish calendar to promote non-kosher food is a shanda (shame in Yiddish).”

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Kosher News

Honey Sales Soar in Israel to Record $30 Million

2006-09-20T15:51:00.000-07:00

Jerusalem by Idele Ross...

The honey market in Israel is sweet indeed and estimated to be worth some $30 million dollars in sales a year, about 60% of which take place in the month leading up to the high holidays. This season, demand is expected to reach 1,900 tons of honey and sales of over $10 million, similar to the previous year. Prices were supposed to decline by 10% ahead of the holidays, but Yoram Paz of Emek Hefer Apiaries said that the fires caused by the katyusha shelling of the north damaged the hives and many of the areas where the bees pollinate flowers, increasing the forecasted loss to between 200-300 tons of honey. Paz noted that 15% of the honey is sold in gift packages and the rest in supermarkets. The annual consumption of honey in Israel is about a half kilo per person. The main products are pure honey and honey enriched with queen’s jelly. Israel produces many different kinds of honey including eucalyptus, avocado, citrus, plum and light honey for weight watchers.

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Honey Recipes

Kosher Food Industry

2006-09-20T15:40:00.000-07:00

Brisk Rosh Hashanah Sales Expected

(New York) Retailers in major markets are hoping for record sales this week as shoppers prepare to usher in the New Year of 5767 this Friday evening. The weekend holiday, say distributors, is likely to play a major role in driving sales, although one distributor said that the “loss of independent Shabbos” days during the high holy days will amount to less sales. In all, the High Holy Days represent nearly 15% of the annual sales of kosher foods, estimated to top $11 billion in 2006. The tempo of marketing and merchandising picked up steam with major retailers publishing their FSI’s, many of which were dropped on doorsteps and others included in Jewish publications. For Jacob Rusanov of Wakefern (ShopRite), the big project for the holidays was a magnificent calendar. For Yakov Yarmove of SuperValu (Albertsons), producing a new creative set for his stores was the challenge this year.

Honey is, of course, a big seller at this time of the year and this week shoppers will have many brands to choose from, including Gefen and Manischewitz as well as many flavored gourmet honeys from Israel. For the first time ever, American Jews will be able to dip their challahs and apples in Yad Mordechai Honey, a popular Israeli brand owned by Strauss-Elite that has also transformed itself into a year-round staple for the growing number of health conscious consumers. Yad Mordechai produces 2000 tons of honey for their line of products. Manischewitz of R.A.B. Foods promoted holiday recipes from popular kosher cookbook author Susan Fishbein, including Peach Noodle Kugel. Tnuva USA also promoted many recipes from some of Israel’s most renowned chefs through its website. Rosh Hashanah will set in motion a near month of holidays, one of the most productive seasons for the kosher food industry. Also driving sales for the holidays will be the significant foodservice business during the holiday period. Second only to Passover, tens of thousands of Jews travel to resorts and to Israel during the Succoth holiday. Hotels in Israel have been sold out for months and even the hard hit hotels in the North report a sell-out.

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Kosher News