One of the nation’s busiest hubs for kosher travelers has abruptly closed a successful kosher stand.
A representative of the Delaware North Companies Travel Hospitality Services, which operates catering services at the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, had promised a statement by the CEO Kevin Kelly, but hasn’t sent it.
The kosher stand was opened with a great deal of fanfare in 2013 and, according to Jewish community sources, was extremely successful.
“The intent was to offer travelers a superb product,” said Chef Allen Susser, who initially teamed up with Kosher Central Market to provide the upscale fare at the airport.
Susser, a well-known chef with a history of being a successful restaurateur, ended his involvement with the kosher program more than a year ago. “That’s really sad,” he said when he learned of the closure of the kosher stand. During the past year or so, the stand was operated by Aroma Catering in Hollywood.
According to Rabbi Pinchas Weitz, the stand was always under the supervision of the Orthodox Rabbinate of Broward (ORB). He too expressed surprise that the airport authorities chose to no longer accommodate the needs of kosher travelers.
This comes at a time when El Al Israel Airlines announced that it would soon begin service to and from Miami. Kosher sources said that as the nation’s third largest Jewish community, the decision by Delaware North is “extremely puzzling” and even “insensitive.”
One rabbi told Kosher Today: “I get it about profits and all that and perhaps they will make more money from non-kosher food but what is America without accommodation to religious needs, especially since I doubt that they were losing money.”
The kosher stand was located in Terminal 3, Concourse F of the airport, which features Jet Blue. It offered a selection of kosher turkey and tuna salad sandwiches, Mediterranean and Caesar salads and a variety of gourmet muffins.
Ironically, it was Jean-Pierre Turgot, general manager of Delaware North in 2013 that originally came up with the idea. When the stand opened, there was a ceremony that included Matt King, the then president of Delaware North Companies Travel Hospitality Services.
In his statement at the time, King said: “We are continuously focused on offering a wide variety of options to travelers. Delaware North is thrilled to present our newest concepts in the new food court at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport.”
In the end, however, say Jewish communal leaders, it all came down to the bottom line and not accommodation. Many travelers are hoping that a kosher stand will eventually reopen at the busy airport.
The chances of someone else getting a chance to run a kosher concession at FLL are slim fit the foreseeable future. After all, the company that operates catering services at FLL decided to discontinue the idea. I think it would make more sense to try to get one of the existing gift shops to carry a limited selection of kosher sandwiches etc
I hope someone starts another one but at normal pricing.
It was way too expensive – good riddance. Let someone else offer this service.
Agree with number 1 and 2 but on the other hand, when I was traveling and flight was delayed, it was so cool to be able to buy kosher food in the airport!
How expensive WAS it???
I never saw it. Was it like $12 for a tuna fish sandwich?
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen frum travelers pick the sandwich check the price and shake their head at the sticker cost. It’s a shame it should have been better priced, yes all airport food is expensive but this was just too much. They probably would have done better if it was reasonably price. Yes I work in the kosher industry and am very aware of all the extra costs.
Would have loved to actually benefited from this stand since I frequent FLL monthly but just not worth the cost. I couldn’t believe how expensive it was. Much easier and economical to get food locally to bring along.