Help with Kosher snack foods?

A

angiebaby

Well-known member
I occasionally send care packages to the troops, and I like to send items for those who might get swept up in a Unit's requests, but might enjoy something unique. This time, I would like to send a box of Kosher snack foods to a Unit Chaplain and request that they be distributed to Jewish service members.

Now the problems - First, I'm not Jewish and while I know some foods which are NOT appropriate to send, I don't have much knowledge about acceptable snacks. Second, the "Kosher" sections in the stores where I live (small town) have a Kosher section about as big as a minute, and mostly have pantry basics, like dried soup mixes or large containers of Gefilte Fish, etc. Very few "snack" items or items which don't require extra cooking vessels, a real stove and a serious time commitment, plus a fair knowledge of cooking.

I'm certain there are food items mixed in with different brands which are Kosher, but I looked at a few labels for kippers, etc., in the store to see if they have the Kosher mark, and realized I can't go through the entire store like that.

Can anyone help me? I appreciate any help or suggestions.

Angie

 
What kind of snacks do you have in mind?

I would avoid snacks made with gelantine (watch out for marsmallows, for instance), but brownies and most granola bars would work fine.

 
Snacks that they would enjoy here but cannot easily get in Iraq, Afghanistan, on a Navy ship, etc.

Do they make Kosher microwave ready snacks? Almost all general snack requests from units include Mac 'n Cheese, instant noodles, chips, cookies, individual lemonade or coffee packets, sport drink mixes, canned meats. Some units do not even have access to microwaves, and even when there is an accessible PX, the "yummy" items go quickly.

It is so hard to know how to ask about what some consider sensitive subjects, and I hope my post was not offensive to anyone in any way. I simply worry that some of our service members get overlooked when they have special requests and circumstances.

I don't know that there IS a need for Kosher snacks, but if there is, I want to say thank you by sending something special.

Thanks,
Angie

 
Aww, I hate to do this but a word of warning and maybe something to

check into. It might be wise to check and make sure sending items marked Kosher would be OK remembering where they are going. After living in the "most" strict Islamic country and knowing their sentiments having something marked Kosher might be dangerous for our troops. I don't know what the military rules are for this but you might just want to make sure there are no restrictions first. You wouldn't want to go to the trouble and then have them thrown out. Sorry ;0(

 
But I think it's a really wonderful idea Angie. I'm not saying you shouldn't

do it but is there a way to make sure it's OK?

 
Angie, This is a lovely idea! First on my list would be Oreos!

Sunshine brand crackers and cookies are kosher.
Lipton has a line of Kosher dry soup packages, I don't know if your store would carry them. Many, many common foods carry the kosher seal. The easiest way to look for them is to find things that have no animal products and go from there. The kosher seal can be lots of things,but the most common is a little U with a circle around it. So it's really not an overt thing, just a little mark.
Good luck, and what a sweet thoughtful idea.

 
Angie, I did a little googling and it may not be a problem. Although most

of what I read was geared towards the Jewish holidays I did find this:

"Each box contained matzo, Tam Tam crackers, canned fruit, gefilte fish, tuna fish, candy, Israeli bazooka gum, fruit slices, cookies, macaroons, chicken soup, Israeli pickles and grape juice"

And it looks like Kosher Salami is a real "get" for them.

I work at Publix and we have a Kosher/Jewish food section. Tomorrow is my day to do Apron's and I always have to gather food for what I am making so I'll stop by and look at what is there. Also, a couple of times what I have been cooking has been geared toward a Jewish holiday and when I've had a question or two I have found two Jewish guys who stock product and are really helpful. I'll ask him for any ideas.

 
Oreos! right now they have mini Oreos in packages for halloween. these are perfect snack size.

You can also find Oreos and other cookies in the snack size containers that are narrow and hold about 6 cookies---like the peanut butter crackers. I bet if you sent only Oreos they would be delighted.

 
Thanks all, but rather than send the wrong things, I went with Plan B.

I went to my soldier website and found a small unit (only 7 guys) out of Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, that has a unit member of Jewish background. I'm sending them board games, indoor & outdoor footballs, and a pump for the ball. They will all enjoy them, and although they will never know they were chosen because of my special criterion, I know (well, I hope, anyway) they will ALL feel special and appreciated.

But I do wish I had known about the Oreos! But it's just as well. I'm afraid if I brought them into the house they wouldn't last long enough to get into the care package....

 
OK, but I looked today at what we have on the shelf and there really

is a nice variety of snacks. I might just buy the little bag of Osem's Bissili snacks. I kinda was drawn to "Falafel flavor" but "BBQ flavor" sounds good too. There's a lot of stuff like little wrapped Honey Sesame candies or little bottles of wild flower honey. Seriously, you could make a really nice package. The Kosher thing is on the back and is really small. Not big. I just hope I didn't put a damper on a really great idea.

 
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