By Julie Lesser
Tribune Correspondent
Prices for packaged Passover foods are expected to rise once again this year, as Jewish Canadian consumers struggle to observe dietary laws despite the excessive financial strain. Notwithstanding this annual challenge, the Kashruth Council of Canada and Jewish Community Councils/Vaad Ha’irs of Montreal and Winnipeg all claim to have no influence whatsoever in determining prices set by manufacturers and retailers.
Rabbi Saul Emanuel executive director of Montreal Vaad Ha’ir says they don’t get involved in Passover product pricing.
“Although we have had a few complaints from consumers about price gouging, we have not done anything about it,” said Rabbi Saul Emanuel, executive director of the Montreal Vaad Ha’ir. “Some prices might be overblown, but we don’t get involved. This is not our responsibility.”
The most recent statistics for Montreal Jews who live below the poverty line is 18 per cent, representing more than 17,000 people. Rabbi Emanuel says the Montreal Vaad has an annual budget of $300,000 for Passover-related activities, including assigning supervisory responsibilities to a special staff of 20 Mashgiachs who oversee the koshering of stores, caterers and hospitals. Passover labels are produced at the Vaad and food products cannot be sold to the public without the label affixed. This includes products that are clearly marked with a reliable kosher symbol as “kosher for Passover and all year round,” although they are often priced higher around Passover.
Rabbi Mordechai Levin, executive director of the Kashruth Council of Canada, based in Toronto, said that Canada does not produce many kosher for Passover products and the council does not suggest pricing approaches to retailers, hoping they will take the initiative.
“If people are destitute and cannot afford Passover food, I’d refer them to social service organizations,” said Rabbi Levin. “I would not discourage people from buying kosher for Passover food, but I hope the ones complaining are not the same ones who go to Miami once a year.”
According to statistics provided by the UJA Federation of Greater Toronto, 20,000 Jews, including 4,000 children, live below the poverty line in Toronto. Rabbi Levin says that because a majority of packaged Passover foods are imported from the United States, travel costs, increased oil and gas prices and additional expenses are passed down to the consumer, yet the current strength of the Canadian dollar should work in consumers’ favour. He adds that the Canadian government allows for a very short period of time right before Passover when goods can be imported without being subjected to extra duty, as the government does not want goods to be imported if they can be manufactured here.
“The reason matzo is expensive is that the flour was cultivated early in the year, when rabbis check the fields for moisture content,” said Rabbi Levin. “Additional tests for moisture are done, as Passover flour cannot have begun to rise. Yet if we do not buy imported products, we will be biting our nose to spite our face, as the goods will no longer be brought in.”
Gabe Brojges, kashruth coordinator at the Vaad Ha’ir of Winnipeg, advises people to use fresh produce and locally produced dairy products to reduce grocery costs. The Jewish population of approximately 15,000 in the Winnipeg area should not expect any overt action in controlling prices from their local Vaad, however, as Brojges said there is no way to influence the way importers establish their prices.
“If you cannot afford matzo, then only eat it at the Seders,” Brojges said. We are community-minded, but large producers determine the increases before products are put on the shelves. If you want to use boxed Passover products, you’re going to pay for them. People can eat fresh fruit instead of cereal.”
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