KOSHERFEST HANDS OUT SHELF-STABLE AWARDS

BARBARA MURRAY

Secaucus, N.J. -- A range of shelf-stable products took home awards at the recent KosherFest trade show held here earlier this month. Winners were named in three categories, and several came from outside the United States.

Winning Passover grocery items from a traditional ethnic supplier were: grape juice from Lexus Foods, Rougemont, Quebec, said to be the first kosher-certified grape juice from Canada; canned pickles from Osem USA, Englewood Cliffs, N.J.; and Portok wine from Binyamina Wine Cellars, Binyamina, Israel.

For year-round items from a kosher ethnic supplier, Rokeach, Newark, N.J., won for its Tradition Ramen Noodles, while Season's Matzoh Meal in a Can took second place and two flavors of chocolate spread from Hashahar Haoleh, Haifa Bay, Israel, took third. Season Products is located in East Brunswick, N.J.

Woodridge Meat, Woodridge, N.Y., won first place for grocery from a mainstream supplier for its "oil pack," three interlocking bottles that are imported from Israel and contain an olive oil and two vinegars. D&A Kosher, Vernon, Calif., took second for its pickled squash; and Glenn Foods, Valley Stream, N.Y., won third place for its Soy Veggie Nuts and Soy Veggie Snacks, which have been sold in bulk in Fairway Markets, New York, and will be shipping in 4-ounce packages in the next two weeks, according to Glenn Schacher, president.