Keeping Kosher in Charlottesville

This guide is based on the advice and experience of people who keep Kosher in this area. Because there is not a huge demand for Kosher foods, there is not a huge supply. However, it might be more than you realize. Because of the wide range of observance of kashrut, this should not be viewed as a recommendation of any particular source, but rather a basic catalog of what's available. If you have comments, additions or updates, please email the CBI Webmaster. Full contact information for all sources listed within the text can be found in the directory at the bottom of the page. See also the shopping guide for non-kosher items.

Kosher Meats

There is no kosher butcher in Charlottesville. Frozen Empire brand chicken and turkey are carried by Giant.

For fresh poultry, as well as beef, the closest butchers are in the Maryland suburbs of Washington DC.

Challah and Baked Goods

There is no kosher bakery in the area, but several bakeries in the area offer challah on Fridays. Most bakeries should use a pareve recipe, but if it's critical to you to know for sure, it would be a good idea to call and ask about the ingredients. Bakeries in town which make challah on Fridays: Albemarle Baking Company, BreadWorks (which trains and employs disabled people), Chandler's Bakery, and Whole Foods Market bakery department. The challah at Giant Food bakery department is dairy. It is a good idea to call ahead to the bakeries on Friday morning to have them set aside challah for you, since they often run out by dinner time.

Chandler's also offers special items for holidays, such as round challah and honey cake for Rosh Hashanah. Whole Foods sometimes has rugelach.

Kosher Wines

Most supermarkets carry the basic Maneschewitz and Mogen David wines. In addition, Giant carries Carmel brand wines, but Market Street Wineshop carries the widest variety and takes pre-orders for Passover.

Other Items

Giant carries frozen items like eggrolls and blintzes.

Most of the supermarkets have a small kosher section of dry and canned items. Giant has the largest selection. In addition, Giant carries Miller kosher cheeses. During Passover, Giant has the most extensive selection of all types of items locally, including Kosher for Passover milk, butter, and other dairy items, and U-Bet Chocolate Syrup!

Washington Area Sources

Jewish Information & Referral Service of Greater Washington --Listings for Kosher food sources in Washington D.C.

Online Shopping

The largest online Kosher food source appears to be Kosher.com. Purchases originating from this link benefit CBI.

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Directory of Resources Mentioned Above

Albemarle Baking Company
112 W. Main Street
Charlottesville
293-6456

BreadWorks
923 Preston Avenue
Charlottesville
296-4663

Chandler's Bakery
202 Albemarle Square
Charlottesville
975-2253

Giant
Seminole Square Shopping Center
Charlottesville
973-7860

Market Street Wineshop
311 Market Street East
979-9463   or
1448 Seminole Trail
964-9463
both Charlottesville

Whole Foods Market
1416 Seminole Trail
Charlottesville
973-4900

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Links to Other Kosher Food Information Sites

Kosher Express--Recipes

United Kashrut Authority--Searchable database of the kosher status of more than 10,000 products, worldwide directory of kosher restaurants

Kashrut.com--Food labeling alerts, recalls, recipes

Orthodox Union Kashruth Department--Information about certification, product alerts, general information about kashrut

Judaism 101's Introduction to Kashrut--Basic explanation of laws