For Immediate Release Contact: Vicki Garfinkel/Steven Clark
Andover Communications, 201-947-4133

Record Crowd of Food & Beverage Professionals Convene at Kosherfest 2008
-- Simply Sushi wins “Best Sushi” Competition at Event --

SECAUCUS, NJ, NOVEMBER 12 -- Thousands of buyers, retailers and other food professionals attended the two-day Kosherfest 2008 at the Meadowlands Exposition Center here, as the largest kosher food, foodservice, beverage and wine and spirits trade show in the world celebrated its 20th year.

“We welcomed a record number of buyers from all over the country and the globe to Kosherfest 2008,” said Bill Springer, the show’s director. “With the change in venue from the Javits Convention in New York City to the Meadowlands Exposition Center, we were able to offer a more convenient and affordable location to both buyers and exhibitors, which we believe helped attract the record number of visitors this year. This is particularly rewarding in light of a difficult economy that has affected other trade shows in the retail and hospitality industries.”

In addition to 250 exhibitors -- some first timers -- and hundreds of new products, Kosherfest presented a two-day program of well-attended special events and industry seminars addressing such topics as kosher restaurant trends, new kosher cookbook trends and the state of the kosher industry.

Held for the first time was the Kosherfest Sushi Competition, which included a seminar. The event created strong interest and excitement from buyers, exhibitors and the media, with Simply Sushi of Monticello, New York unanimously chosen as the best in the competition.
According to Menachem Lubinsky, Kosherfest show founder and co-producer, “The strongest trends presented at Kosherfest 2008 involve the presence of more products that are gourmet, exotic and/or healthy. This was evidenced at the show by the variety of exotic meats (such as elk and bison) a large showing of new wines from producers from all over the globe, and a great number of gluten-free foods.”

n his state of the industry address, Mr. Lubinsky made note of the current shortage of kosher meat, expressing confidence that the “forces of the market would soon generate new sources of kosher meat.” He said that despite the unstable kosher meat market, the industry as a whole experienced double-digit growth for the 8th year in a row, with Passover leading the way.
Kosherfest also showcased products from 28 countries, including Israel, England, Argentina, Malaysia, Taiwan, France, Italy, Canada, and Serbia. New items were presented in such areas as kosher wines and spirits, healthy snacks, gourmet cheeses, smoked meats, chocolate and condiments, among other food products.


Two weeks prior to the trade show at the Meadowlands, Kosherfest 2008 sponsored the Best New Kosher Products Competition at The Career Academy of New York, a culinary school comprised of an ethnically diverse student population. More than 15 categories of food products were judged, with the top prize going to Zelda’s Sweet Shoppe Southern Pecan pie. For a complete list of winners go to: www.kosherfest.com.

In 2009, Kosherfest will be held again at the Meadowlands, on October 27 and 28, with new events, programs and seminars. Kosherfest is co-produced by Diversified Business Communications of Portland, ME (www.divbusiness.com) and LUBICOM (www.lubicom.com).
About Diversified Business Communications

Diversified Business Communications, a division of Diversified Communications, brings buyers and sellers together through award-winning publications and internationally acclaimed trade shows produced on four continents. Products in Diversified’s food portfolio include Kosherfest, All Asia Food Expo, Expo Comida Latina, the International Boston Seafood Show and Fine Food Australia.

About LUBICOM
Menachem Lubinsky is the chairman & CEO of LUBICOM Marketing Consulting, a strategic marketing firm that also markets kosher foods. He is the founder of Kosherfest, the world's largest international kosher food trade show and a prominent figure in the Orthodox Jewish Community.

Note to Media: For information, photos, product samples and interviews regarding Kosherfest 2008 and the kosher food industry in general, please contact Andover Communications, 201-947-4133 (vickig@eclipse.net).

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