Any updates on a new grocery?
Not really
But I have a question about an existing supermarket.
GG has not had checked Romain for weeks. This is because of the same reason Star-k and OK recently temporarily removed their supervision from Fresh Express/Dole. There is extremely heavy infestation right now.
Nobody in the our part of the country is able to get cleanable Romain. GG has their people going to the Market daily and has spent thousands of wasted money trying to get supply. TO THEIR CREDIT, they refuse to lower their standards, and will not bend and take in infested product.
The infestation I belive is small thrips. One must be trained to realize what these are and what they look like.
A robo-call went out in Lakewood last week warning people that the regular method of cleaning lettuce at home is not effective in cleaning this high infeatation, and Romain should be completely avoided. (Except from pre-packaged with reliable certification. For example, Postiv and Kosher Garden is grown in a special insect free Green House custom built to avoid infestation. Spring on Central, for example, is nly usuing their product.) This has been an issue for about three weeks.
So here is my question: HOW IS SEASONS ALWAYS FULLY STOCKED WITH PRE-CHECKED ROMAIN?!? Where are they getting it from? Even if they are throwing out a lot, the others in the field are not able to get the quantity Seasons has. And they have it on a consistent basis. How are they able to clean what nobody else on the East Coast is able to? Are they able to sit a scrub each leaf so well? Or does their checker need a new pair of glasses?!?
Bugs is the most serious issue with regards to Kashrus. It involes the more biblical prohibitions than any other kashrus issue.