J-Food is a fairly new show for the strictly kosher market that is carrying on the legacy of Kosherfest to connect kosher products with buyers. Many of the companies that were displaying products there were aiming for the kosher grocery stores, particularly the large kosher supermarkets that are now serving major Orthodox communities. The show attracted buyers from around the Western Hemisphere. I met people from around the country and the world, including North Carolina, Ohio, Panama and Mexico.

My son-in-law, Mordechai Schmutter called J-Food “The Dry Kiddish”. The show featured kugels, breads, challah, cakes, jerky, cold cuts and meats but no alcohol. Other companies at the show displayed products that supplied basic needs of the kosher consumer including chalav yisroel dairy products, foods made from healthy grains, keto and low-sugar products, bug-free produce, reusable disposable tablecloths and Shabbos friendly appliances.

Speaking of bug-free produce, a number of companies were showing bug-free produce including Upstate produce and Bowery. Healthy grain-based foods included gluten-free, low carb, and spelt. Some of these companies included Smart Carb, Grain Brain kamut based cookies and Crisp, bars and oatmeal, Sunshine Health foods, low sugar Health Garden, sweeteners, and Weightless Cookies.

Chalav Yisroel Milk: Meant To Be Dairy exhibited Chalov Yisrael A2 Milk. A2 Milk is from cows that are bred to produce milk not containing A1 casein which some people have trouble digesting. Mehadrin showed chocolate covered yogurt bars, and Norman exhibited yogurt poaches.

There were other novel displays. Lal Shishi had a bathtub full of cholent. Back in the Hay Farm selling eggs had an incubator with chicks. Sweet Robo had a machine that made cotton candy. If was fun to watch the Amish children wearing straw hats and suspenders from the Meant to be Dairy booth watching the machine operating.

I am looking forward to the success of J-Food to continue to connect kosher sellers and buyers.