East Broad Kroger store to open expanded
fresh Kosher market in time for Passover

Kroger announces its store located at 3675 E. Broad will open its Kosher fresh meat market Tuesday, April 15, just in time for Passover. The store will offer an expanded variety of Kosher dry goods, dairy products, and prepackaged deli, fresh and frozen Kosher meats and chicken. Kroger also has hired two full-time Mashgichim on staff, Kim Geiger and Paul Bernbaum, who will supervise production of the Kosher foods at the store to ensure they are prepared within Kosher rules and standards.

"We have offered a variety of Kosher products to our loyal customers for many years and look forward to expanding our selection at the East Broad store to continue meeting the needs of our customers," said Bruce Macaulay, president of Kroger's Columbus division. "We are proud to open the expanded Kosher store before Passover to help the Jewish community prepare for the holiday."

The Kosher shop will include a full-service Kosher meat department that will offer cold cuts, pre-packaged products and fresh-cut meats, expanding on the store's current selection of fresh and frozen Kosher meats and chicken. The store will feature a larger selection of Kosher cheeses and dairy products as well as pre-packaged salads. Customers can also select from a more robust assortment of Kosher dry goods, such as candy, pie shells and chocolate chips, balsamic vinegar, macaroni and cheese, beans and other middle eastern products, among many other Kosher offerings.

This opportunity came about after a series of meetings with Kroger regional management and the Rabbinic and lay leadership of the Columbus Vaad Hoir. Kroger and the Columbus Vaad will continue to work together to ensure that the Kosher market and its products adhere to all Kosher laws. The Vaad will serve as the certifying agency for food prepared within the store.

Kroger hires two full-time Mashgichim

Kim Geiger joins Kroger as a Columbus Vaad-approved Mashgiach who previously oversaw the Bexley Kosher Market deli for the past two years and has worked for the Vaad for more than 10 years. She also kashered the Market's meat room for Passover for the past decade.

"Kroger has helped the Jewish community prepare for Passover for many years," said Geiger. "With the expanded Kosher offering at the East Broad store, Kroger is helping the community prepare Kosher meals year-round."

Paul Bernbaum's experience includes kosher supervision for the Chicago Rabbinical Council and as a Star K supervisor, certifying Kosher practices at cheese factories. He is also presently serving as part-time mashgiach for the Vaad Hoir of Columbus.

In addition to the expanded Kosher offering at the East Broad store, Kroger's store at 2000 E. Main St., and 5161 Hampstead Village Center, New Albany, also have increased their Kosher presence. The stores feature a Kosher deli, packaged meat and Passover products, in addition to dry goods and everyday products. The East Broad store is the only Kroger that offers fresh-cut Kosher meats.

Click here to visit the Kroger website.