By Sylvia Maria Gross
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kcur/local-kcur-562385.mp3
Kansas City, MO – Over the past seven years, Irv's Market has become the only place in the Kansas City area where observant Jewish families could get a full range of Kosher products. Kashruth - or keeping Kosher - is a set of dietary laws that govern what foods can be eaten, and how they are prepared, stored and served. The rules differ according to the different practices of Judaism, and how individuals follow them. But two basic principles are that meat must be slaughtered in a particular way, and that all meat products must be kept separate from dairy products. Some kosher products are now carried in many regular grocery stores, which is just one reason it's been difficult for freestanding markets to compete. So in October, the owner of Irv's Market uprooted the shop from its location at 104th and Metcalf in Overland Park and reconstructed it inside the Hen House Supermarket at 112th and Antioch.
KCUR's Sylvia Maria Gross visited the store, and spoke to Kehilath Israel Synagogue Rabbi Herbert Mandl, chairman of the kosher-certifying Vaad HaKashruth, and Irv's Market owner Laurie Garfinkel.