Empire Kosher Poultry announced today that effective November 24, it will significantly expand production of Kosher chicken, increasing its output by 50%. This increase will allay any fear of a widespread Kosher poultry shortage. Additionally, Empire announced that it will reduce the price of fresh chicken cutlets (skinless and boneless chicken breast) by at least 10%, also effective November 24.
This is the second increase in production for Empire in 2008, having already increased its output earlier this year, responding then to concerns about reduced supply conditions in the marketplace. The expansion announced today will be far more significant, as Empire will now be adding over 100,000 additional Kosher chickens each week into the consumer market.
Greg Rosenbaum, Chairman and CEO of Empire commented, “Empire is proud to be able to ‘step-up to the plate’ and be sure that consumers throughout the United States have easy access to Kosher poultry at their local supermarkets and butcher shops. We are extremely grateful for the cooperation of our Kosher certifying agencies, the OU, KAJ and Star-K, as well as the United Food and Commercial Workers Union to make this rapid expansion possible.”
“Furthermore”, Rosenbaum continued, “by reducing the price of our cutlet product, we hope to make it more affordable for consumers who, in light of the current economy, may have forgone their taste preference for chicken breast, to save a little money.”
Rabbi Menachem Genack, CEO of OU Kosher, praised Empire’s actions, saying, “By taking these bold steps, Empire has once again demonstrated its leadership in the Kosher food industry and its commitment to the Kosher keeping community. The OU believes this action will satisfy the demand for Kosher chickens throughout the country, as Empire products are distributed nationwide. We also salute Empire for its responsible action in lowering some prices during this tough economic time. The OU has a longstanding relationship with Empire and we have never been more proud of that relationship than we are today.”
Although some poultry producers have begun to restrict purchases, such as requiring the purchase of a whole bird or whole bird equivalent, rather than individual parts of a chicken, Empire will continue to allow customers to order whatever combination of whole chickens and chicken parts they need, while making popular chicken cutlets more affordable for its customers.
This production increase of chicken follows a major expansion of turkey production for the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday and the recent introduction of a new formulation of its signature Chicken Nugget product line, now made with 100% whole chicken breast meat.
(YWN Desk – NYC)
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29 Responses
Thank you Empire for stepping up to the plate as well as dropping prices. Empire’s chickens are very clean which means no tickling on the way down. They are also not laden with fat as we have seen on other brands of the past.
I will be on the lookout for the lower prices, we need to see all prices reduce since the fuel rates have gone down.
The chickens can’t win! Bravo for Empire and the mashgichim.
Will they also produce duck,turkey and goose for chanukka?
For some reason,their chickens seem to have a lighter color than the Rubashkin packages.
Great News!
That is how capitalism works. If one supplier goes kaput, the other suppliers increase production in order to meet market demand.
very nice, they are increasing their supply of chickens! they also increased their price! Empire chickens were $1.29 per pound after Succos in Pathmark, this past week it went up to $2.29 per pound- an increase of over 75%- so what is so great that they are increasing their supply- we need more competition for Empire!!!
very nice! Empire increased supply of chickens but they also increased the price per pound by over 75%!
the empire chickens in my pathmark after Succos was $1.29 per pound and now it is $2.29- why is everyone so excited about the increased production! Empire needs competition so the price will go down like in the past!
While it is good news for Kosher consumers, it should be noted that the Shochtim and Mashgichim at Empire are now paid less than they were 15 years ago, with less benifits or job security than they had when a Reform Jew, Murry Katz, owned Empire
how is it possible that people dont see what is going on here? Rubashkin was attacked by the United Food and Commercial Workers Union and all these troubles started. once they have problems, Empire announces that they are stepping up to the plate and thanks the very same union – & no one else sees a problem with this?? Empire and the Hashgochos listed above should be ashamed of themselves – as should every one of you animals happy with the downfall of such a wonderful family. This union needs to be investigated for their practices and strong-arm tactics
poor chickens…
Hey Shprintzy did you ever think that the retailer may be taking advantage of the situation??
proud of KAJ WH TIDE, when was the last time you found kosher goose in the supermarket? I bring it back from Israel.
#9, your conspiracy theory is far-fetched at best and motzei shaim ra at worst.
Shprintzy, you are right. What a golden opportunity to increase their poroduction and profit at the same time. I guess that the cutlets were not selling so that they are lowering their price on these items.
By the way Pathmark told me they do not set the price on the chicken. That is done by Empire.
Who KAJ WH TIDE. Didn’t you hear what Rabbi Montel said? He says that TIDE died when Hirsch died. Actually it has been going thru a slow but painful death for the last 20 years.
# 9 You are right!!!!!
#9, is it at all possible that what happened to the Rubashkin family is all of their own doing, with out any outside conspiracy going on?
Why shouldn’t Empire step in?
Also where do you get off calling other people animals? Just because someone may be”a wonderful family”, that doesn’t absolve them of their responsibilities as a business owner.
ps. shprintzy close to yom tov time pathmark always has kosher chioken for around the 120-130 price a bit after yom tov it goes back up nothing new
sagold12, and how do you explain the charges of bank fraud? or is this part of a set up by the union and the hasgachos and empire?
Get real, maybe the Rubashkins were big ba’alei chesed but they are charged with the mistreatment of workers (amongst other charges) and may have committed bank fraud (see the charges which are public documents). They are not such wonderful people, especially since they have caused such a chillul hashem and pain for the kosher consumer.
As we speak, two things are happening:
1. Virtually all companies that currently do a kosher slaughter are working on increasing their production capacity.
2. Many treif companies are examining the possibility of installing a kosher box so that they can kill kosher.
Therefore, it won’t be long before there is an increase in the supply of both Kosher poultry and Kosher beef, probably to quantities greater than there has been up to now. This will be the case whether the Postville plant ever reopens or never reopens.
Between now and then, while there is a spot shortage of beef in particular, why don’t we all commit to ourselves that for the next few weeks, we will only purchase that quantity of beef which can be reasonable eaten at the meal we are preparing. Have you ever noticed that you have never been at a Shabbos meal where the meat served was all eaten? Let’s collectively decide that it is no sin if all the meat is eaten at our Shabbos meal. This week, buy less meat than usual. Leave some for others to buy. And then in a month or so, when the quantity shechted goes back to its previous quantities, we can all go back to buying more than we can all possibly eat.
Empire always had the best chickens on the market. But my husband doesn’t trust Empire but does trust Rubashkin. My husband also doesn’t read Yeshiva World News. Oh well…..
To- Left Brooklyn A LO-O-ONG time ago.
When I was little.
shprintzy — November 16, That was a SALE special price in a BIG supermarket. $2.29 is a low price in comparison to prices in other supermarkets.
Gone are the good old days when there were little butcher shops and local shechitos by different kehillos.
to-sagold12 — November 16– That is business and Empire is HONEST. The public demands a product and the suppliers want to sell. The workers and shochtim also need jobs and the mashgichim are very ehrliche people,as are the rabbonim supervising themWhile we’re at it,let’s wish the Rav of K A J, Rav Gelley, שליטא’
רפואה שלמה—-זכריה בן רבקה
Maybe empire will buy out rubashkins? Then they will really have a monopoly!
To # 12: You wrote, “#9, your conspiracy theory is far-fetched at best and motzei shaim ra at worst.”
Motzi shem ra on a non-Jewish union or on PETA?
There is little question as to the “conspiracy” element. Do you believe that Tyson, Purdue, whatever, do not hire “undocumented immigrants” or illegal aliens as they used to be known? Do you believe that the majority of our produce is picked by legal workers getting paid on the books and the minimum wage with benefits, etc.? Why Agri was picked on, I do not know. But that there is some pressure being placed on them, is certainly a logical conclusion.
To #21: You wrote, “Gone are the good old days when there were little butcher shops and local shechitos by different kehilos.”
Where do you live? (Rhetorical question.) Many kehilos — Kiryas Yoel, Stolin, Bobov, and others — have their own shechitah which is available to “outsiders” as well. There are private shechitos as well — for both chicken and cattle. There are butchers and butcher stores in Brooklyn, Monsey, etc. who sell their own meat under the same reliable hashgachos we are all familiar with (e.g. CRC) or private certifications (smaller kehilos, chaburos, etc.).
If you want kashrus — old world style — it is available. If you want Pathmark and Shoprite convenience, then you might have to compromise. (By your own admission, private shechitos, kehilah style, are presumably better. Otherwise why bemoan their perceived absence today?)
Torah observance is pleasurable — derachehah darchei noam. That does not mean it is not without its effort. Indeed what lasting/true pleasure comes without effort?
Why all the excitement? Why do people have to eat chicken every day? I understand that people eat chicken or meat on Shabbos, but one could survive on other foods the rest of the week. In fact, the Gemoro says that since the destruction of the Bais Hamikdosh, people should not eat meat.
I think it is nice that Empire is increasing its output by 50 percent. They know that now that Rubashkin is losing business then the jews don’t have much choice about which meat to buy. It is really nice of them to do this and I think everyone on hear doesn’t appreciate it. If Empire would not increase their chickens then I’d think it would be harder to find meat which would lead to people buying non kosher chickens. So it is a really nice idea that they are doing this and what does rubashkin losing business have to do with Empire? They are totally 2 different companies and they are out there to help us. Step up everyone and realize reality.
flatbush Bubby- why dosn’t your husband trust empire? I would love to know why. are there kulos that they are relying on that are not generally accepted? please let us know what they are and how they differ from what Rubashkin relies on.
how come everyone is so upset that Empire is increasing production? How does that hurt Rubashkin? Honestly even if Empire did not increase its supply, Rubashkin would still be in the same boat. The same people who are complaining that Empire has no right to increase their production would complain if they didn’t that there’s not enough chicken and why don’t any other companies increase production!! some people just have nothing better to do then complain.
Empire has always had fresh, great-tasting food. I just wish they had more of a presence in the grocery stores.
cholent lover, I got know idea why my husband trusts Rubashkin more than Empire. I just rely on my husband for kashrus matters and he relies on me to cook.
When do they plan on doing this 50% increase in production? Please note that the only kosher chicken production that was ever done on an Erev Rosh Hashana was this year by Empire. They did not work on Sunday because of overtime costs to the USDA – but Monday, Erev Rosh Hashana, they worked! Will they now work every Friday and Shabbos to accomplish this increase in production???