Newspapers and reporters around the country are reporting a “kosher meat shortage.”  Agriprocessors kosher-meat plant ceased all of its operations due to a raid on its plant in May, charging them with employment of illegal immigrants and underage workers.  “Financial problems at the company that was the target of one of the largest immigration raids in U.S. history have triggered a shortage of kosher meat and raised prices nationwide,” says USA Today.  The meat shortage has affected most butchers and supermarkets around the country.

“Last week, the production slow-down at the Postville plant finally hit the nation’s kosher markets and, by extension, kosher consumers. Retailers from coast to coast report trouble getting orders filled…” says Intermountan Jewish News. Even Fresh Direct, has closed down its kosher-meat department on its website. But before you have thoughts of becoming a vegetarian, visit www.Kosher.com, where you will still find the freshest kosher beef around. Order now before its too late, and receive a shipment of fresh meat delivered straight to your door!!!

The Orthodox Union is now offering four entertaining DVD’s, as an outreach program to the public. The DVD’s are entitled: Kosher Kidz, The Kosher Fish Primer, Kosher Birds: Who Are They, and Kosher Meat: Unexplored Frontiers With Rabbi Belsky. All DVD’s offer kosher consumers, and their kids, a chance to explore the world of Kashruth and Jewish Law in a fun and exciting manner. OU Kosher’s educational programs also include the “OU Kosher coming” project, which sends OU’s Rabbinic coordinators to schools, synagogues, college campuses and communities - enlightening thousands. To purchase a DVD at $5, a complete set at $24, or to request “OU Kosher Coming” program for your institution, or community - contact Safrane@ou.org.

Source:  www.ou.org

The OU, termed a “coveted seal of approval” by The New York Times, is one of the world’s best-known trademarks. Comparing it to the UL®, Forbes magazine wrote, “If you want to know your food is kosher, you can look for the Orthodox Union’s OU symbol.”

It immediately and universally enhances your product, raising the perception of its quality, and increasing its marketability.

Our 600 Rabbinic Field Representatives, located across North America and throughout the world – from Europe to Australia, from the China to South Africa—are proficient in modern food production techniques and chemical and biological processes, no less than the intricacies of Jewish law.

Our New York headquarters staff consists of over 50 Rabbinic Coordinators who serve as account executives for OU certified companies, supplemented by a roster of ingredient specialists, flavor analysts and other support staff.

A state-of-the-art computer system stores and tracks product information and ingredients. The Orthodox Union database contains information on more than 250,000 food ingredients.

Many of the food industry’s most recognized brands, large and small, choose the OU for their kosher certification, including: ADM, Avebe, Best Foods, Cargill, Cerestar, Coca Cola, Cognis, Peter Cremer, Danisco, Dean Foods, DSM, General Mills, Haarmann & Reimer, Chr. Hansen, Hebei Welcome Pharmaceutical, H.J. Heinz, Hershey’s, Kraft/Nabisco, McCormick & Co., Nestlé, Novartis, Procter & Gamble, Pillsbury, Quest, Reynolds Aluminum, Rhodia, Unilever, and thousands more.

OU does much more than ensure the highest standards of Kosher Certification.

OU Kosher is unique among all the major kosher certification agencies as it is part of a non-profit communal organization (founded in 1898), so we maintain the highest levels of integrity without any possible conflict of interest.

The Orthodox Union, now in its second century of service to the Jewish community of North America and beyond, is a world leader in community and synagogue services, adult education, youth work through NCSY, political action through the IPA, and advocacy for persons with disabilities through Yachad and Our Way.

For more information about the Orthodox Union visit www.ou.org
Article quoted from www.oukosher.org

Check out this great OUkosher video:

Our purpose is to eliminate all the countless hours you spend shopping for your groceries and household supplies, standing in line, and fighting traffic. Now you can spend your time doing the things you really enjoy. In just minutes you can place your grocery delivery order by phone, fax or online and Kosher.com will have your groceries delivered right “From The Store….To Your Door!” No more dragging the kids in and out of the car, no more drudging through the rain and no more sweltering in the heat. Look for our truck or check us out to see if we deliver to your area.

Place an order today over $100, and receive a FREE t-shirt.

The back has a comical checklist which reads:

A must have for all Kosher.com enthusiasts. Deals like this don’t come around very often, so take advantage and claim your FREE t-shirt (with purchase) today!

Place an order at www.kosher.com

Kosherfest 2008 will offer a vast array of lectures, educational seminars, culinary demonstrations and events for the food professional at its new venue, the Meadowlands Exposition Center in Secaucus, NJ November 11-12, 2008.

Kosherfest offers the world’s largest trade marketplace for showcasing kosher food, food ingredients and beverages, and provides an opportunity for supermarket retailers, specialty stores, caterers, restaurateurs, food service and hospitality professionals to find the newest products under one roof.

This year Kosherfest celebrates its 20^th year, and over the past two decades has helped bring to market more than 100,000 kosher products. Today the kosher food industry is a booming $11 billion business, expected to grow at a rate of 12%.

Kosherfest 2008 will showcase hundreds of new products and more than 300 exhibitors from all over the globe. The show’s 2-day schedule of informative events are designed to help today’s industry professionals learn the trends and address the ever-changing needs of their consumers and clients.

For information visit www.kosherfest.com

Please note:
We can supply many different supervisions by request.  We carry meats and poultry from a range of sources with a variety of supervisions. If you have a particular supervision request or wish to avoid a particular source indicate your preference in the “Special Instructions” field during checkout.

You can see a list of our many possible supervisions and sources here: http://www.kosher.com/help/faq.html#25

Have a happy New Year!

–
Brian Cooper
Dir of Ecommerce
Kosher.com

And then there is the difference between kosher wine that uses boiling to purify it (Mevushal), and the newer “flash pasteurization” method which does the same thing, yet preserves the taste. However, by not boiling it, the “non-Mevushal” wine can lose it’s kosher status if handled by a non-Jew. The Mevushal is exempt from this and can be poured and enjoyed by all, regardless of religion.

Just remember that just because it’s a kosher wine doesn’t automatically make it an award winning wine. Ask around, ask friends, ask your rabbi! Now that wine producers are hastily realizing the surge in popularity of kosher wines, and creating more choices, wine stores will be more than happy to assist your purchase. L’Chaiyim!

Up until the 1980’s, the formula for Coke actually used real sugar, however, the company switched to high-fructose corn syrup. And since Passover requires refraining from eating certain grains, the corn-based sweetener is usually avoided. But, the Coca-Cola company has been able to continue producing this special variety this time of year.

The yellow cap and special labeling shows that “Passover Coke” is ready for your table! Coke has done a great thing, and having a product like this has even helped in their sales, so much so that even people who do not celebrate Passover request this seasonal recipe. Enjoy your soda this Passover, and savor the flavor of Kosher Coke.