*CHODOSH BULLETIN-5 Mar 08*
*From the Guide to Chodosh-Y. Herman*
*Chodosh telephone Hot Line 718-305-5133, email [EMAIL PROTECTED]
<mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]>**
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*_YOSHON FLOUR TO LOCAL BAKERIES, PIZZA SHOPS, ETC, MAY BE CUT OFF_***
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*THE PROBLEM:* Due to a sudden and unexpected rise if the cost of spring
wheat, some distributors of flour may stop or may already have stopped
delivering Yoshon spring wheat flour to local bakeries, pizza shops and
similar establishments. This may force some of these local
establishments which have been baking Yoshon breads, chalehs, pizza,
etc. to unexpectedly have to switch to producing them as Chodosh. It is
advised that Rabbonim, Mashgichim and local consumers verify that their
food suppliers are still able to procure Yoshon flour for their products.
*WHO IS INVOLVED?* We know that at least one small distributor of Yoshon
flour in the New York area has stopped delivering Yoshon flour. This
distributor of O-U Yoshon flour is Joe Pastillo, also known as F&S
Bakery Supplies. To our knowledge, at least some of his customers were
able to replace his deliveries with Yoshon flour from elsewhere. We do
not yet know which stores, if any, have stopped producing Yoshon.
We have checked with some _wholesale_ bakers of Yoshon bread, the ones
who sell in local bakeries in the New York area. _We will not be able
check all of the large number of local bakeries and shops. The local
consumers should ask their Yoshon establishments if they are having any
problems at this time with supplies of Yoshon flour._ Please advise us
via the Hot Line or email of any places that you discovered that are no
longer Yoshon. When inquiring, be sure to ask the mashgiach, owner or
manager, not the clerks behind the counter. We hope to issue updates via
email and the Hot Line news recordings.
*WHOLESALE BAKERIES CONFIRMED TO STILL BE YOSHON*: The following
wholesale bakeries selling products through grocery stores in the New
York area have confirmed that they expect to be able to continue to
supply Yoshon without interruption. Those which are not on this list may
also be Yoshon, many were not yet checked.
· *? Fifteenth Ave Food Corp, *selling baked goods in groceries under
the names of *Korn**, Sterns**, Kohen**, and New York Ko**sher* all
baked items are still Yoshon, with the exception of the 6-grain bread,
bran muffins and items containing oats. The whole wheat bread and the
12-grain bread are also Yoshon. Under the hashgocho of the OK Kashrus.
· ?* **Franczoz *Bakery All Franczoz brand items which were Yoshon are
still Yoshon, including rye breads, whole wheat breads, rolls and
chaleh. Under the hashgocho of Rav M. Eidelstein of the Khal Adas
Jeshurun. (This should not be confused with Abraham Franczoz.
· ?* **Kosher Bagel Hole*, 1431 Coney Island Ave.(718)377-9700 and 1423
Ave J, 258-4150. All freshly baked goods are still Yoshon. Packaged
goods may not be Yoshon. Under the hashgocho of Kehila Kashrus of Brooklyn.
· *Zomicks, Steinbergs *and* Gotta Getta Bagel* (wholesale only) on Long
Island are still Yoshon.
*FOLLOWING NO LONGER YOSHON:*
· *Baltimore:* Most bakeries and similar establishments had their new
Yoshon flour deliveries canceled! Depending on the supplies on hand,
they will have to switch to Chodosh at different times. At each store,
when it becomes Chodosh, a sign will be posted.
· *Kupels Bake and Bagel*, 421 Harvard St, Brookline, Mass.
· *This list is not complete. Check with your local stores!*
*WHY THIS SUDDEN PROBLEM?* Wheat prices are governed by the highly
volatile commodity markets. Historicaly the price has been stable, due
to a balance between supply and demand over many years. The last few
weeks, there was a sudden determination by wheat traders that the demand
has greatly outstripped the available supply. This perception caused
wheat prices to suddenly rise and even quadruple!
The Western developed world has been switching their technology and
factory production to the underdeveloped third-world countries,
primarily China. As the standard of living of these countries began to
rise, their demand for the Western life style, including more
wheat-based foods has been causing a shortage of wheat, especially the
more desirable spring wheat that is used for breads, etc. The devaluing
of the dollar made it easier for these countries to compete more
effectively in purchasing this wheat. The increased affordability of
cars in these countries caused a greater demand for auto fuel. This is
one of the contributors for the rise in oil prices. That, in turn, made
it more profitable to plant corn and other crops suitable for production
of bio-fuels, causing a drop in production of wheat and barley. (That
was the reason why in Canada malt became Chodosh much earlier than
usual.) All these factors converged amost simultaneously on the
consciousness of the commodity markets, causing the price of spring
wheat to skyrocket.
During August 07, the Yoshon bakeries contracted with flour
distributors to deliver Yoshon spring wheat flour to them during the
entire season till pesach at the price that was effective then of about
$25 per 100 pound bag, using wheat or flour that was stored at that
time. That same bag of flour is now worth more than $50 on the open
market. This may have lead some distributors to sell off their stored
Yoshon flour on the open market to cash in on a great profit, rather
than deliver at the old, low price.
This rise of wheat prices causes great worries for the _next Chodosh
season_, starting in the fall of 08. In past years the Yoshon did not
cost appreciably more than Chodosh. This lead to the great number of
available Yoshon bakeries since even customers who were not necessarily
/makpid/ on Chodosh liked the extra bonus of Yoshon. However, we fear
that in the fall of 08, what will be Yoshon at that time is the very
same spring wheat that has become so scarce and expensive now. On the
other hand, it is expected that with the rise of prices the new, Chodosh
crop planted in 08 will be increasing. That will make Chodosh more
plentiful and much cheaper than Yoshon. Many flour distibutors and
bakeries may be unable or unwilling to invest the significant extra cash
to reserve the more expensive Yoshon flour, if it not certain how much
of the public will be willing to pay much more for Yoshon baked
products. We will continue to monitor this situation with concern.
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*MALT REMINDER*
As of the purchase date of March 15, all cereals, candies and other
foods that contain barley malt or malt may be Chodosh, unless it can
be confirmed by mashgichim or the use of dating codes that the item was
packed before Dec 15.
*OTHER ADDITIONS AND CORRECTIONS TO THE GUIDE*
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*Osem* pasta made in Italy under the hashgocho of the Badatz of
Yerushalaim. It is the ongoing policy of this Badatz to give hashgocho
only on Yoshon products, regardless of where they are produced. However,
there is a possibility that this pasta made in Italy may be Chodosh
starting with a package date of Aug 09 (2 years after packing.) This
problem is not expected to be repeated in the future.
*Kemach* cereal malt date. The Guide gives two cutoff dates for malt in
Kemach cereals. Only the second date, Feb 29 09 is the correct one.
*Shindler* fish sticks. The blue packages may be Chodosh. Packages with
other colors are Yoshon with a Yoshon label. Under the hashgocho of the
Star K of Baltimore.
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