The fact that I have a supermarket, a bakery, a pizzeria and
two grocery stores literally within two minutes walking
distance from my apartment, all containing 100% kosher food
with a plethora of hechsherim, makes me forget the
difficulties of keeping kosher abroad. Though it is much
easier in North America than, say in Europe, and though the
array of kosher food in supermarkets in most Western
countries is more copious than food was anywhere over a
century ago, people not living in Israel or visiting abroad
have to contend with navigating a sea of unfamiliar foods and
Kashrus supervisions.
So, please allow me, hoping that I am not biting off more
than I can kosherly chew, to offer some suggestions for
smooth sailing. First off, whether you are a resident of a
town or a visitor to it, know your hechsherim. Know
which ones are available, what each one means to your
personal standards of observance, which are local, which come
from abroad and which are least expensive in terms of price
per item. If you are moving, don't wait until you've moved;
if you are visiting, check with a competent authority or a
friend who lives where you're going, before you pack. In
countries where hechsherim aren't listed on food but
on lists, this is especially important.
Be aware of what does not require a hechsher, either
because of the nature of the food, or the nature of
production. This must be determined in each location. Modern
food technology is so sophisticated and inventive that you
can never assume anything. Foods that are produced with only
one method or only in one place may still be kosher and not
have a hechsher, because the city you are visiting
doesn't have a demand for it and so it is left off the
package. Some products that you might not imagine -- do need
a hechsher. For example, they sell pure maple syrup in
Canada. I once wanted to buy some, when someone told me that
they process the syrup on the same machinery with which they
cure ham. I don't know if that is true or even possible, but
anything not raw that may undergo processing needs to be
checked out. Some things are made differently in different
countries. Even water may have additives that need
supervision.
It is advisable to frequent the same shops. Storeowners and
cashiers who know you are more likely to point out specials
and let you return items. They'll also be more willing to
answer questions and look into ordering special foods for
you. This is a good idea even if you're visiting a foreign
city. Once you've been in a couple of times, you can strike
up an acquaintanceship with the owner.
I know people who travel across town to buy cheaper items. So
they may buy their meat in one supermarket, their fruits and
vegetables in another, their canned goods in a third. I
personally can't imagine how much savings that is, when you
subtract gas and time. However, if you happen to be anyway in
different parts of town during the week, schedule a stop at a
supermarket, to see if there is something available that
isn't where you live or that is available cheaper.
Don't buy in season. I'm talking about holiday season. There
is no reason you can't buy honey six weeks before Rosh
Hashona, or dried fruits long before Tu Bishvat, etc. Some
foods are made to last and you might as well save and
anticipate high season price hikes. However, be sure to check
expiry dates on food since some stores cannot or are not
diligent in taking expired stock off the shelves.
One thing that can make food shopping more enjoyable and
cheaper is to stay with the local produce. When I go to
Montreal, I feast on smoked meat, bagels, bread- and-butter,
pickles and other items that are not available in Israel, are
of an inferior quality or require traveling great distances
to acquire. Root beer and cream soda, for example, are
available only in English-speaking enclaves in Israel. So I
have to go to Modi'in, Jerusalem or Ra'anana to get some.
Enjoy the native fare whether or not you are a native. To me,
English muffins are exotic.
Making things from scratch takes time, which is a precious
resource. But so does shopping. Perhaps you can put together
a food exchange and each person cook en masse and trade
dishes. This definitely saves time and money and ensures that
you have what you want when you want it.
Don't be afraid to travel with food on you so you don't have
to search for a snack. If you always keep something in your
purse, car, bag, and take into account stomach-rumbling
delays, you needn't find yourself scavenging for goods in non-
religious areas. But before you take things from Israel
abroad, make sure the laws of the country you are visiting
will let you take them in.
On a more prosaic level, food was never meant to be something
processed beyond recognition. There is little problem (except
in Israel, due to the agricultural laws) in finding good,
nutritious, tasty kosher food in the form of fruits and
vegetables (check for bugs), water and carrot juice. People
have been known to survive on this for days.
