For the string of Jewish communities along the southwest and west coasts of Florida, the best bet for kosher food used to be at least a three-hour drive away—in some cases, even seven or eight hours—all the way to the state’s east coast. That was, however, until Kosher on Wheels came to town.

On average, the Kosher on Wheels truck makes a series of two-hour stops at 18 Chabad-Lubavitch centers every two weeks. Its attached 28 x 8.5-foot refrigerated trailer offers everything from kosher meats to dairy products, and baked and canned goods.

“I wish it would come every week. I love it,” says Adi Indianer of Naples, who shops at the traveling store with her husband and four children. “I’ve only missed it one time since it started coming to Naples.

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“I’m so thankful for it,” she adds. “To drive all the way to Miami was too much.”

Shalom Dadon, a native Israeli who has resided in the east coast town of Ormond Beach for the past 17 years, began the service this spring after consulting with Rabbi Pinchas Ezagui, co-director of Chabad-Lubavitch of Greater Daytona.

“I jumped from my chair when he came to me with the idea,” said Ezagui. “I told him, ‘It’s going to hit!’ They’re all desperate for kosher products.

“He’s helping bring kosher and Judaism to so many communities.”

Saving Time and Money

Since the operation began, Dadon has dedicated much of his time to the road, all while making sure to spend Shabbat with his family. He frequently posts 18-hour days, with his longest run including the six-hour drive to Pensacola.

Waiting for him are a group of residents that had tried everything, from flying orders down from New York to organizing special shipments of meat from Iowa, to supply their kosher kitchens. Some 30 shoppers regularly greet Dadon in Naples.

Kosher on Wheels’ stocked shelves are a welcome sight for residents of Southwest Florida, who until recently had to make the trek eastward to buy their kosher foodstuffs.
Kosher on Wheels’ stocked shelves are a welcome sight for residents of Southwest Florida, who until recently had to make the trek eastward to buy their kosher foodstuffs.

Financial advisor Rich Weisberg says that Dadon’s visits have made it easier for him to keep kosher. He goes to the truck to buy challahs, frozen gefilte fish and meats that he says are impossible to find in local grocery stores.

“My schedule wouldn’t allow me to travel east to buy kosher food,” says Weisberg. “It’s a mitzvah what he’s doing. It has helped our community so much.

“We’ve never had any sort of kosher food so close,” he adds. “It’s wonderful.”

For S. Paolo, Brazil native Victor Fiss, keeping kosher for the past two years since his move to Naples has been quite challenging. The drive to Fort Lauderdale every other week to pick up meat and dairy products was taking a toll on his busy schedule.

“I don’t need to spend almost $50 on gas every time [I need food] now,” says Fiss. “I even changed my schedule to fit with the Kosher on Wheels visits. Keeping kosher has become much easier. I’m very excited about this initiative.”

According to Rabbi Fishel Zaklos of Chabad-Lubavitch of Naples, Kosher on Wheels has prompted a resurgence of families observing Jewish dietary laws.

“This has added a real beauty to the community,” says Zaklos, who teaches classes on keeping a kosher home. “It brings people together for the sole purpose of celebrating kosher food and their Judaism.”