Kosherfest facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Kosherfest |
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| Status | Discontinued |
| Genre | Exhibitions |
| Frequency | Every November |
| Venue | Meadowlands Exposition Center |
| Location(s) | Secaucus, New Jersey |
| Years active | 1989-2022 |
| Inaugurated | 1989 |
| Founder | Menachem Lubinsky |
| Attendance | 6,000 |
| Area | 80,000 square feet (7,400 m2) |
Kosherfest was a big yearly event for the kosher food industry. It was a two-day "trade fair" where businesses could show off their products. This event took place at the Meadowlands Exposition Center in Secaucus, New Jersey.
Kosherfest started in 1989. It featured a large hall with many exhibits. There were also talks, cooking shows, and even cooking contests. New food products could win special awards.
Many people saw Kosherfest as a place to see new food trends. It also showed off new ideas in the kosher food world. The event was not open to everyone. Only people from food businesses could attend. This included makers, sellers, buyers, and food bloggers. Kosherfest was run by two companies. These were Lubicom Marketing and Consulting and Diversified Communications. After its 2022 event, Kosherfest stopped happening.
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History of Kosherfest
Kosherfest began in 1989. Irving Silverman first thought of the idea. He hired Menachem Lubinsky to help promote it. Lubinsky is the CEO of Lubicom Marketing and Consulting.
The event was first called the International Kosher Food and Food Service Trade Show. The very first show was held at the New York Passenger Ship Terminal. It had 69 companies showing their products. About 700 people came to see them.
By 2001, the show had grown a lot. It attracted 500 companies. About 12,000 buyers came from the US and 29 other countries. This bigger event was held at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. In 2014, 330 companies took part. Around 6,000 people attended. They filled the entire 80,000 square feet (7,400 m2) of the Meadowlands Exposition Center.
In 2004, Diversified Communications joined Lubicom. They worked together to produce the event. Kosherfest announced that its 2022 show would be the last one. The event was then discontinued.
Where Kosherfest Was Held
Kosherfest changed its location a few times. In the 1990s, it was held at the Meadowlands Exposition Center. But in 1998, it moved to the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. It stayed there from 2003 to 2007.
In 2008, Kosherfest moved back to the Meadowlands. It was held there every year. This continued until the event was discontinued.
Who Attended Kosherfest
Only certain people could attend Kosherfest. These included food makers and suppliers. Wholesalers, buyers, and caterers also came. Retail stores and media people were allowed too. This included photographers and food bloggers.
Most people who attended were from the United States. However, companies came from many different countries. Some came from Finland, Argentina, and Japan. In 2014, most attendees were Orthodox Jews. Kosherfest provided special areas for daily prayers. It also had stations for ritual hand-washing.
New Food Trends and Ideas
Kosherfest was a great place to see new food trends. It also showed off new ideas in the kosher food world. At the first show in 1989, traditional kosher foods were displayed. These included foods like gefilte fish and kugel.
Between 1992 and 1997, the number of kosher-certified foods grew a lot. It went from 26,000 to about 41,000 products. With this growth came more diverse foods. This showed that kosher food was becoming popular for everyone. It was not just for Passover or for Jewish people anymore.
In 1996, some interesting products were shown. These included kosher-certified venison and gumbo. There was also imitation crab and faux caviar. The 2013 show had kosher-certified kielbasa. It also featured "bacon" cheeseburgers and chorizo. Cajun beef sausage and Asian sauces were also on display. Some of the food makers were not Jewish.
Later trends at Kosherfest included gluten-free foods. In 2013, nearly 20% of the foods were gluten-free. Other trends included Greek yogurt and organic food. There were also vegan and dairy-free products.
The Exhibition Hall
The exhibition hall at Kosherfest was very popular. Companies gave out many free samples. Because of this, some people called it "the world's biggest kiddush". Others said it was like a mix of a trade show and a big family party.
The samples included all kinds of food. There were dairy, meat, and pareve items. You could try cheeses, sausages, and sauces. Pastries, ice cream, wine, and liquor were also available. Non-food samples included kosher breath strips. There were also teeth whiteners and kosher dog food.
Visitors were allowed to take home one bag of free samples. Any leftover food was given to local charities. Other businesses also took part in the show. They sold food-service equipment and cleaning supplies. Uniforms, paper goods, and label printing systems were also shown. Kosher certification agencies were there too. They looked for new clients to work with.
Awards and Prizes
Kosherfest gave out awards for the best new kosher-certified products. There were 17 different categories. These included the Best in Show award. Other awards were for the best new dessert or packaging design. There were prizes for the best new snack food and organic product. Awards were also given for beverages and food service products. Categories included best new dairy product and sweet snack. There were also awards for best new mix, dip, spread, or salsa. The best new pre-cooked packaged meat and pasta also won prizes.
At the 2013 event, Empire Kosher made a Guinness World Record. They displayed the world's largest chicken nugget.
Other Activities
Besides the exhibition hall, Kosherfest had other events. There were lectures and book signings. Kosher cookbook authors signed their books. There were also cooking demonstrations. A culinary competition featured famous chefs.
During the trade show, other events happened nearby. A Kosherfest social media dinner was held. There was also a Kosher Food Bloggers Conference. Many media people covered Kosherfest. They reported on the latest kosher food trends.
