Keeping Kosher at North Mercer Island QFC

With Passover approaching, United Food and Commercial Workers Local 21 member Steven Hartholz says he’s especially proud to work at the North Mercer Island QFC (7823 SE 28th Mercer Island).

“We serve the whole community,” Hartholz said. “In fact, we’re the only grocery store on the Island with kosher certificates – for meat, deli, fish, bakery, and sushi.”

Hartholz should know – he’s a meat cutter who works in the store’s dedicated kosher cutting room.

And the Seattle Va’ad website verifies that the North Mercer Island QFC does indeed have those 5 kosher certificates.[1]

Referring to the New Seasons Market that recently opened nearby, Hartholz said, “That new store across the way may send you an ad for matzo, but my understanding is they don’t have a single kosher certificate.” He’s right again. the Seattle Va’ad website does not show any kosher certificates for New Seasons.[2]

As the Seattle Jewish Blog pointed out back in 2015, the North Mercer Island QFC has done a great job filling the kosher food gap that was left by Albertson’s decision to close their Mercer Island store.[3]

New Seasons may have occupied the old Albertsons space, but it did not pick up the commitment to provide a full range of kosher products.

[1] “QFC #839 – Mercer Island,” Va’adHarabanim of Greater Seattle (Accessed April 6, 2017). http://seattlevaad.org/portfolio/qfc-839-mercer-island/

[2]“Kosher Portfolio/ Restaurants/ Establishments” Va’adHarabanim of Greater Seattle (Accessed April 6, 2017). http://seattlevaad.org/kosher-portfolio/

[3] “QFC Adds More Kosher Selections at Three Locations,” Seattle Jewish Blog (July 9, 2015). http://seattlejewishblog.com/2015/07/09/qfc-adds-more-kosher-selections-at-three-locations/