Kroger Closes Kosher Kitchen, Publix Delivers

Since the Fountain Oaks Kroger closed its kosher kitchen Aug. 27, other area grocery stores carrying a large selection of kosher foods have expanded their offerings, and still another big chain store is closing.

The Kroger in City Walk Sandy Springs helped pick up the slack when the Fountain Oaks kosher department closed as part of a store renovation, said Rabbi Reuven Stein, director of supervision at the Atlanta Kosher Commission. In addition to expanding its kosher bakery, the Sandy Springs store began offering kosher sushi, fish and hot cut, fresh meat, Stein said.

Kosher shoppers also have looked toward Toco Hills, long the center of the kosher Jewish community.

After the Fountain Oaks kosher kitchen closed, we learned that Publix in Toco Hills – believed to be the only Publix in the country with kosher departments – began delivering kosher food within a 20-mile radius. Just recently the store also introduced several new brands of packaged meats and beef hot dogs to its kosher options. “We continue to look into items to add to our kosher deli as well,” said Laya Shaikun, event planner and kosher supervisor for Toco Hills Publix’s Aprons Event Planning.

Meanwhile, nearby Whole Foods in Toco Hills is closing soon. Those who turned to the store for cage free, natural kosher meat, free of antibiotics, will have to look elsewhere now, he said.

“Stores come and go.” The benefit of having a store with a kosher department is that the manager or employee has his finger on the pulse of the kosher community and can stock or order items customers want, Stein said.

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