Kashrus Initiative to Help Summer Camps Maintain Standards

A free service by the Association of Kashrus Organizations (AKO) will assess a camp’s kashrus infrastructure and guide camps in maintaining proper kashrus standards throughout the summer.

Summer camps play a critical role in our children’s chinuch, and the food services provided at camps are a major part of the summer experience. While camps strive to ensure that the level of kashrus provided matches the camp’s standard, maintaining proper kashrus in such a large operation can indeed be challenging.

To this end, the Association of Kashrus Organizations (AKO) created a free initiative to help camps implement proper standards at no cost. Bringing together a team of leading experts from the most respected agencies, they will analyze and assess a camp’s kashrus infrastructure and provide guidance to ensure that the level of kashrus is maintained throughout the summer.

Common questions include:

• Is there a designated individual responsible for overseeing and ensuring Kashrus?
• Is there a system for ensuring all Hilchos Shabbos are properly kept?
• Is there a clear standard of what products are acceptable in your camp?
• Are your food products and kitchens being properly locked/sealed when not in use?
• Are your meat/dairy kitchens, utensils and prep areas properly separated?
• Are Halachos of Bishul Yisroel being properly observed?

The process is simple: camps fill out a short questionnaire, schedule a virtual consultation with an AKO kashrus professional, receive an initial assessment, schedule an onsite visit from a kashrus professional, and receive a follow-up assessment. If applicable, they will also receive training sessions for camp kitchen personnel.

The AKO organization itself does not give any kosher certification or endorsements; however, the Camp Kashrus Initiative provides invaluable assistance to maintain proper kashrus in summer camps. There is no charge for this service. Camps have the option of obtaining follow-up visits from an AKO kashrus professional during the camp season and a kashrus workshop for the staff and/or campers for a fee.

For more information or to begin the process, interested camps can email AKO at [email protected] or call/text (617) 651-1584.