Streit's facts for kids
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| Private | |
| Industry | Food |
| Founded | Manhattan, New York City, U.S. (1916) |
| Founder | Aron Streit |
| Headquarters | , |
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Area served
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United States Other International Cities |
| Products | Kosher Food Products |
Aron Streit, Inc. (often called Streit's) is a well-known kosher food company. It started in Manhattan, New York City. The company is most famous for its matzo, a type of flatbread.
Streit's is special because it's the only family-owned matzo company in the United States. They also sell their matzo in some other countries. Streit's and another company called Manischewitz make up about 40% of the matzo sold in the U.S.
The factory follows very strict kosher rules. For example, only shomer Shabbat (Jews who observe the Sabbath) are allowed to touch the matzo dough. This rule helps make sure the matzo is prepared correctly for Jewish traditions.
The whole process of making matzo is watched by Rabbis. This ensures everything meets kosher standards. During Passover, a Jewish holiday, people are not allowed to eat leavened bread (bread that has risen). Because of this, matzo dough must be baked within 18 minutes. If the dough sits longer, it might start to rise. If it rises, it's called chametz and cannot be used for Passover. It must be thrown away.
Contents
The Story of Streit's Matzo
Streit's was started in 1916 by Aron Streit. He was a Jewish immigrant from Austria. Aron Streit had already made matzo in Austria in the late 1800s.
Early Days in New York
The first Streit's factory was on Pitt Street in the Lower East Side of Manhattan. There, Aron Streit and his business partner, Rabbi Weinberger, made each piece of matzo by hand.
In 1925, many Jewish immigrants were living in the Lower East Side. So, Aron Streit and his two sons, Jack and Irving, moved the business. They moved to 150 Rivington Street, which was nearby. Soon after, they bought the buildings next door. The company stayed in these buildings for 90 years.
The Old Lower East Side Factory
The Streit's matzo factory on the Lower East Side was a piece of history. It was one of the last remaining Jewish businesses in the area. At the start of the 1900s, many Jewish families lived in the Lower East Side. They made up 60% of the population in 1915. Because so many Jewish people lived there, businesses like Streit's opened and did very well.
However, living conditions were not good. As soon as families could afford it, they moved out. Many moved to other parts of New York City, like uptown or Brooklyn. This made Streit's factory a reminder of the past.
Matzo Production at the Old Factory
The old Streit's factory usually baked about 16,000 pounds (about 7,250 kg) of matzo every day. When it was time to prepare for Passover, the factory worked 20 hours a day. It could make up to 30,000 pounds (about 13,600 kg) of matzo daily during this busy time.
A New Chapter for Streit's
Since the 1980s, the Lower East Side has changed a lot. It has become a very popular area with higher rents. The Streit family even thought about opening a cafe or bar that served matzo. This would fit with the new nightlife scene in the Lower East Side.
Moving the Factory
On December 20, 2007, Streit's announced that their factory was for sale. The family said they wanted to move because of noise complaints and crowded streets. They also wanted to update their equipment. The factory was sold for $30.5 million in 2015.
The new Streit's factory is located at 171 Route 303 in Orangeburg, New York. This new location replaced the old factory in Manhattan. It also replaced a warehouse in Moonachie, New Jersey. For many years, other Streit's products, like matzo ball mix and potato pancake mix, were made in New Jersey.
Other Products from Streit's
Besides matzo, Streit's makes many other kosher products. They also have a separate brand of foods called Ethnic Delights. This brand mainly sells condiments and seasonings.
See also
