DETROIT — For the first time, the federal government is required to purchase and provide food banks with emergency supplies of kosher or halal products, serving a population whose survival could otherwise be at odds with strictures of faith.
The void was first revealed in the wake of Superstorm Sandy on the East Coast in the fall of 2012, which led to food shortages for those most in need.
A Jewish philanthropic organization in New York alerted lawmakers to the rising numbers of people coming to its food banks and often finding shelves devoid of kosher offerings. That led to legislation aimed at boosting emergency supplies for food prepared in accordance with Jewish and Muslim dietary rules, and, after some unsuccessful attempts at passage, the measure was tucked into the sweeping federal farm bill signed into law in February.
Federal agriculture officials now must implement the novel law, which requires them to buy food prepared in accordance with the faiths’ dietary rules but isn’t more expensive than regularly produced food. Then, it must be tracked through the distribution chain and properly labeled to ensure it gets to food bank operators and meets the needs of their clients.
The U.S. Agriculture Department’s challenges include gauging the demand and finding vendors that can supply the appropriate amount of food to keep it cost-neutral.
“These are the factors that affect the feasibility of being able to get foods in the program,” USDA spokeswoman Brooke Hardison said. “This is a process that’s going to take some time.”
ANCIENT DIETARY CODES
Both kosher and halal refer to centuries-old dietary codes of each religion. Kosher describes foods that meet laws based in the Old Testament on what is fit for people to eat. The dietary laws predominantly deal with three issues: Some animals like cattle and finned fish are allowed, while others like pork and shellfish aren’t. Blood must be drawn out of meat before it’s eaten. Meat and milk can’t be mixed.
The general understanding for halal is that products shouldn’t be contaminated with pork or alcohol and that livestock is slaughtered in accordance with Islamic law. Similar to kosher practices, Islam requires the animal is killed with a single slash to the throat while alive. It’s intended as a way for animals to die swiftly and minimize pain.
The USDA currently buys some kosher and halal foods but not in an organized, regulated fashion. It’s hard to know how soon the full effort can launch or how successful it will be.