News

Rockville, Md…Kosher and halal foods hold consumer appeal that goes far beyond any ethnic or religious niche, according to a new report from Packaged Facts. The report, entitled Market Trend: Kosher- and Halal-Certified Foods in the US, resonates with a similar report from Mintel released earlier this year, which

Jerusalem…Many hotels around the world had expected a weak Passover season due to the recession but for some a last minute surge helped stave off a dismal fate. Business was off some 10% - 15% in many hotels in Israel and Europe while there were some reports of a drop-off of as much as 30% in some US destinations. While

New York…It has become fairly common in markets like New York for kosher food products to feature both a national symbol and the certification of a well known rabbi or Chasidic group. The additional kosher certification is welcomed in many Chasidic communities like Williamsburg, Monroe, and New Square adding a market of

Tel Aviv…A record 500,000 Israelis were on the move on the eve of Passover, many flocking to hotel destinations throughout the world. Restaurants, coffee houses, malls and shopping centers all reported an increase in the number of shoppers as compared to last year. Israel Money reports that restaurants and coffee houses

New York…Offering a Passover menu to patrons is good business, even if the food is just “kosher style” and not certified kosher. For years, Balducci’s has been offering the traditional Passover foods with the caveat that the food is not kosher. In fact, Balducci’s courts its kosher style patrons during the High

New York…Retailers are noting some changes in the shopping patterns of kosher consumers as the pre-Passover buying season heads into its final 10 days. Many shoppers who previously did the bulk of their shopping in one store are now expanding the experience to several stores, taking advantage of specials at each store.

Jerusalem…KT Middle Eastern Bureau Chief and Staff Reporters…It has been one of the big stories to come out of Israel this year, but it may very well be a case of comparing apples and oranges. Sales of matzoh, the unleavened bread for Passover, are rising or falling depending who one talks to and what sales period is

Chicago….The SuperValu chain has taken kosher to a new level with the launch of a new kosher Web page, according to Yakov Yarmove of SuperValu. The site, part of the Jewel-Osco site, was introduced in time for the Passover holiday. Yarmove says that he hopes to be able to roll such a site in more of SuperValu’s chains.

Vienna, Austria…It is less than three weeks to Passover and in Kosherland there is nary a sign of the looming holiday. Mayer Bochorfoff, who greets his customers in a business suit and tie, explains that he will be displaying his Passover foods about two weeks before the holiday. Although the store has an impressive

Jerusalem…There no longer is a question of whether “going away” this Passover will be a victim of the world economic glut. The only question is by how much and the answers vary from 10% to as much as 25%. European programs are taking the brunt of the belt tightening by traditional Passover vacationers. Some hotel