The Sixth Sense
LUBICOM Kosher CEO Menachem Lubinsky is the founder and co-producer of Kosherfest, the annual trade event for the kosher food & beverage industry and is the editor-in-chief of KosherToday. The views expressed in this column do not represent the opinions of KosherToday’s publishers and are those of the author alone.
For the current My Sixth Sense article, please visit http://www.koshertoday.com/sixthsense.asp
My Sixth Sense is released on alternating weeks with Eye on Kosher, which can be found at http://www.lubicomkosher.com/eyeonkosher.
August 6, 2007
From the Editor...
Try googling for on-line kosher shopping lately? The choices are staggering, including leader FreshDirect…The tragic death of a kosher party planner puts a spotlight on the growing influence of the planners…Local kashrus committees are doing more than certifying existing kosher establishments. They’re aggressively pursuing new kosher eateries…Kosher Care Packages for businessmen, tourists and college students? Sara Cohen has the story about a new venture that is also giving a part of the revenues to charity…Another Israeli company has big plans for the US market…Subway is on the verge of opening 12 more kosher stores in the coming months and years…Idele Ross, our Israeli Bureau chief reports on concerns in Israel about a possible shortage of ingredients and an Israel Food Week in Germany… From Here and There covers a new charge by PETA about the “Kapporos” practice in New York City, Kugel, Cholent, and Supper in the Catskills, an all clear sign from rabbis in South Australia where a kashrus scandal rocked the community and our restaurant experts cover some closings and future openings…In Duly Noted, we explain our article last week on kosher coverage in the Jewish weeklies.
Menachem Lubinsky,
Editor-in-Chief
Dramatic Increase in On-Line Kosher Options
New York…A recent mailer from FreshDirect was directed at kosher consumers in several strong Jewish neighborhoods. “Shop From Our Kosher Store,” was the message on the front of the mailer, which also featured a photo of Yossi Rubashkin of Aaron’s Best Glatt Kosher to highlight the glatt kosher meats that area available on the site. The large New York on-line grocer had in recent weeks dramatically increased its kosher offing and was now making a strong pitch for a larger market share of the on-line kosher business. For kosher consumers, on-line shopping has never been easier. In addition to such on-line grocers as FreshDirect, kosher.com and kosherclub.com, individual kosher purveyors also sell on-line as do many retailers, including major supermarkets, wine and liquor stores and even butchers. Many distributors and manufacturers say that on-line kosher shopping has “been picking up” after getting off to a slow start. The growing options for shopping kosher on-line are especially growing in local and regional markets where grocers are using the Internet as an additional means of communicating with their customers. Some offer seamless service in that customers maintain an account and can order with an account number and credit card. Industry executives are debating whether the on-line additions have actually increased the sales of kosher or whether it has simply replaced the “old-fashioned” way of ordering by phone or fax. Several manufacturers that offer food for sale call it “a necessary headache” since the sales certainly do not justify the effort. They say that they are serving many people who are not near markets that have a broad selection of kosher foods and that offering the products for sale certainly helps promote the branding of the product. Operating in the New York market, FreshDirect no doubt senses the opportunities of becoming a significant player in the on-line kosher market, particularly since it serves the largest kosher food market in the world, the New York metro market.
Death of a Party Planner Puts Spotlight on Growing Influence
Monroe, NY…Susan Paneth, 49, was driving back to her summer home here from a wedding on July 29th at a luxury New Jersey catering facility when she lost control of her car and died shortly thereafter in a local hospital. She was the party planner for a luxurious marathon glatt kosher wedding for 1200 people. A mother of 8, Mrs. Paneth was one of a growing number of party planners who have changed the face of upscale kosher catering. Caterers who knew Mrs. Paneth spoke of her “incredible energy and dedication to her work.” The party planner of today, say the caterers, are into almost every detail of an affair, including the presentation of foods on the menu.” One caterer called them “visual artists” since they are focused on theme, color, and overall presentation. Many caterers say that they are relieved that party planners have assumed some of the responsibilities they previously had to shoulder, including selecting the tablecloths, flowers and chair covers. Mrs. Paneth had worked most of Sunday preparing the lavish affair and did not leave until well after 4 a.m. the next morning, just an hour and a half before her fiery crash. This did not surprise the caterers or fellow party planners. Said one: “There are just so many details in planning a large wedding like that that it’s all consuming.”
While hiring a party planner was previously the exclusive domain of the very affluent, an increasing number of middle class people are also retaining party planners. The reason, say the caterers, is that everyone is looking to be different and party planners make a living out of coming up with the creative ideas. One caterer described a party planner that had marched into his office with samples of the dishes she wanted him to use, the flatware, napkins, several chafing dishes and a choice of three desserts. The caterer said that the party planner of today is not just an “added amenity.” “They take charge,” he emphasized.
Local Kashrus Committees Promote their Own Communities
South Orange, NJ…For the Vaad Harabonim of Metro West, the decision by Andrew Halper, who owns Zayda's with his wife, Alison, to go glatt is part of a program to increase the number of glatt kosher offings in the community. Although, the community is a mix of Jews of many backgrounds, say the rabbis, we’re opting for the highest standard so that even the most rigorously observant can enjoy kosher dining. This approach of actively seeking to increase the number of kosher establishments is not peculiar to the Vaad in New Jersey. It has become a fairly common practice for Vaadim (kosher committees) throughout the country. Rabbi Eliezer Zwickler, co president of the Vaad of MetroWest NJ, told the New Jersey Jewish News that the change at Zayda’s is
“a major step for the glatt kosher observant community to have a full butcher and old-style deli with catering services." Heads of other Vaadim have gone to the extent of lining up investors to help a local entrepreneur open a glatt kosher establishment. They have also reached out to restaurateurs across the country to expand their business into their communities. The MetroWest Vaad currently supervises 17 local food businesses, including restaurants, butchers, and ice cream establishments.
Healthy Kosher Care Packages Give Money to Charity
Queens, NY…by Sarah Cohen…The perfect solution for kosher business people, college students, and tourists, now comes in the healthy, ready-to-eat care package. Kosher Care Packages (www.koshercarepackages.com), a business started a year ago, is helping people easily access kosher food throughout the US and Israel. Catering to people who do not have kosher food readily available, Kosher Care packages ships ready-to-eat, or easily prepared foods to many locations. The products are all under various kosher certifications such as OU, OK, Kof-K, Star-K, and CRC. The packages, delivered to customers’ choice destinations, require little or no preparation. While some foods require the use of microwaves and toaster ovens, the key to Kosher Care Packages is that minimal effort is required to enjoy kosher meals. “My business is something that benefits anyone to whom kosher food is a necessity,” said Karen Chazan, owner of Kosher Care Packages. The packages, which can be custom ordered to meet customers’ needs, emphasize healthy eating. Chazan explained that since customers were asking for gluten-free products, she is now offering a gluten-free snacks care package. While some customers use the packages as a great gift idea, Kosher Care package offers special Shabbat packages, complete with all Shabbat needs including Shabbat candles, a Havdalah set, and a book complete with the appropriate Shabbat blessings. Due to consumer demand, starting September, Kosher Care will offer fresh frozen meals to be delivered over night. Kosher Care Packages is working with a caterer under the Vaad of Queens to provide these frozen meals.
Starting September 1st, $1.00 of every purchase will be donated to local charities that help provide kosher meals for those in need. “We are very excited about adding this feature and giving back to the Jewish community,” said Chazan. Aside from giving to charity, Kosher Care Packages also allows people to deliver care packages to members of the Israel Defense Forces. The most popular holidays for sending care packages to soldiers are Hanukkah and Purim.
Dorot Latest Israeli Company to Plan USA Subsidiary
Tel Aviv…Dorot, a major producer of fresh crushed garlic, ginger, parsley, dill, basil and coriander (cilantro), is the latest Israeli food manufacturer planning a major expansion in the US market. The company from Kibbutz Dorot has decided to establish a subsidiary in the USA to deal with importing the company’s trays of fresh garlic, herbs and spices from Israel as well as to manage logistics, marketing and sales across the USA. Managing Director, Oded Barish said that Dorot products are currently being sold at approximately 1500 sales points across the USA, as well as in restaurants, hotels and other institutions. According to Barish, establishing a subsidiary company will create a strong base to increase the sale of Dorot products in the USA. The company is expected to start operating on the East cost of the USA within the next few months. In addition to the USA, Dorot’s unique products are sold in chain stores in Canada, UK, France, Scandinavia, Germany and Spain.
Subway Continues Kosher Franchise Program
Baltimore…With Cleveland and Brooklyn already in the fold, the Subway chain is planning several more in the next few months, including two in the Maryland area, Los Angeles, Cedarhurst, NY and Kansas City. The next Subway will open in Pikesville in the Fall. Subway has some 28,000 locations in 86 countries. Pikesville resident Harry Kozlovsky has teamed up with the original Cleveland investors Charles Zuckowski and Ghazi Faddoul of Cleveland, who were the first to open a kosher Subway there more than a year ago. Kosher Today has learned that a prominent national fast-food chain is gathering information on the kosher community in anticipation of making its move into the kosher community. The chain says that it is planning to open 15 kosher stores in the near future, as it strives to become the first national food chain to include a glatt kosher chain as well.
Food Manufacturers Discuss Possible Ingredient Shortage
Tel Aviv…by Idele Ross, KT Bureau Chief…Recent reports of a possible worldwide scarcity of ingredients for food production has Israeli manufacturers concerned. A forecasted shortage of corn, wheat and other grains as well as sugar would make it much more expensive to maintain cowherds who feed on grains. The worldwide trend of halting government subsidies to farmers forces them to sell their lands off usually to real estate developers. The erratic and extreme climate changes are also affecting food production worldwide. Food industry analysts in Israel are cautious in assessing how these trends will affect local production. The cost of raw materials which are imported to the country could rise in the double digits say local experts and those costs will be passed on to the consumer. Ofra Strauss, CEO of Strauss-Elite told Army Radio that she does not see double-digit price increases. “It really depends on how quickly farmers will receive more lands for agricultural development,” she said.
German Department Store Marks Israel Week
Jerusalem…by Idele Ross, KT Israel Bureau Chief and Kosher Today Staff Reporters…Kauthopf, a chain of upscale department stores in Germany is holding ‘Israel Week’ this week (from August 8th) during which products and fruits from Israel are being sold in the chain’s 28 branches. Ynet reports that the project was under the auspices of the Israel Export Institute. One of the companies participating in the event is Tari Bari, which markets peeled, cut and ready to eat fruits. Shlomo Korech, CEO of Niv Agriculture which markets the fruits, said the Israel Week provides an opportunity to examine the possibilities of future business with German companies.
In China, over 70 participants attended a conference sponsored by the Israel Export Institute. Attendees came from the far reaches of China, and included senior management, business development directors, and technologists from leading Chinese corporations, as well as traders.
From Here and There…
New York…Orthodox rabbis and community leaders are preparing to meet this week to respond to charges by PETA, the extremist animal rights group, of inhumane treatment to chickens during the “kapporos” ritual in the days preceding Yom Kippur. Many groups set up ad hoc stations where the chickens are used for the ritual which designate the chickens as the sacrifice for any impending bad judgments from the Almighty. Many of the kapporos stations are organized by charity groups and the slaughtered chickens are sent to poor Jewish families.
Monticello…Catskills Roundup --- The kugel (potato pudding) was back at the Sloatsburg rest area on the New York State Thruway where a designated area is reserved for prayers for Jews traveling to the Catskills. The young Chasidic Jew distributing the kugel made sure to emphasize that the kugel was free in deference to a request by the State Police not to use the area to sell food. He did, however, accept donations for a yeshiva….Posters also invited vacationers to join the cholent club at Kimesha Lanes on Thursday nights (10 p.m. – 3 a.m.). Said the ad: “Come In And Have a Bowl!”…Mothers looking to truly feel in vacation mode can now take advantage of “Suppertime,” and new service that delivers a 4-course hot meal to their bungalows for only $14 a meal. After listening to the menu that morning, the reservation is made via credit card.
New York…July was not a good month for kosher restaurants in New York, according to Kosher-ny.com. Some of the kosher eateries that closed last month include a Kosher Krispy Crème on the Upper East Side, Park East Grill, and Eee’s Café. But both Kosher-ny and kosher restaurant maven Elan Kornblum of GreatKosherRestaurants.com report that several upscale new restaurants are scheduled to open in the near future. Mr. Kornblum was in the midst of a world trip exploring kosher restaurants for his upcoming Great Kosher Restaurant Magazine.
Melbourne, Australia…Rabbinic authorities have given the all-clear to the status of kosher products after a major scandal broke here. An investigation found that at least three kosher-approved South Australian products listed in the kosher Australia Food Bulletin 2007 have been made without rabbinic oversight for a period of as much as 8 years, according to the Australian Jewish News.
Duly Noted…
A number of Jewish weeklies responded to our piece last week about their coverage of the kosher food scene and our singling out several Orthodox publications. Several admitted that while covering kosher, they also accepted advertising by non-kosher establishments. One such publication was The Jewish Week of New York which features “weekly kosher foods, recipes, wines, and other holiday specials suitable for every Jew, regardless of affiliation.” We apologize for omitting the names of all of the publications that have increased their coverage, but the essence of our article was to point out the trend as a group.
New Product Showcase…by Eda Kram
Manischewitz Introduces Pareve Frostings Manischewitz, a division of R.A.B Foods, has launched a new pareve ready-to-spread frosting. Manischewitz, the leading brand in kosher specialty foods, announced that the ready-to-spread frostings are available in the most popular flavors, Chocolate and Vanilla. Manischewitz Pareve Frostings are made with the highest quality ingredients and are certified by the Orthodox Union. They are available in 12 oz. re-sealable canisters with a suggested retail price of $2.29. Kosher consumers can enjoy the ultimate indulgence of cakes and cupcakes, now made even more delicious with Manischewitz Pareve Cake Mixes. For more information, please log onto www.manischewitz.com.