Our Story

It was back in the 1980s when the startling revelation was made - many produce items we regularly included in our meals were prone to infestation by a variety of insects. The immediate response was to carefully check all suspect vegetables and fruit that we served. Unfortunately, the overwhelming majority of consumers do not have the expertise to inspect produce for bugs. They do not know what to look for, nor how to look. For a while, pre-washed salads seemed to be a perfect and convenient solution. However, under careful scrutiny, it was discovered that many vegetables, including Romaine lettuce, Spinach, and even Iceberg lettuce, could not be rendered free of insects by washing systems. Indeed, the engineers that have designed the washing machines for the largest produce companies in North America have asserted that no washing system alone could be expected to rid infested produce of bugs. Certain insects such as leaf miners who burrow tiny tunnels within leaves are beyond the range of even the most vigorous washing machines. Moreover, items with very convoluted surfaces such as broccoli, cannot be washed clean of the bugs that typically infest them.

A solution somewhat

The first breakthrough came with the introduction of greenhouse-grown produce, primarily from the settlement of Gush Katif. The greenhouse created a controlled environment whereby produce could be generally protected form airborne insects which comprise the bulk of the infestation problem. The imported greenhouse-grown items were the first real solution to infestation but did have several drawbacks. The prohibitive costs of exporting and shipping produce meant that heavier items such as broccoli could not be considered at all. Even lighter items such as Romaine lettuce were harvested long before their maturity, to reduce the costs of shipping. As such the lettuce was not a very robust product and coupled with the protracted process of shipping and distribution left a very short shelf life. Additionally, the costs of shipping that the companies incurred had to be passed on to the consumer resulting in a rather hefty price tag for a less than hefty bag of lettuce.

Enter Postiv the ideal solution

Postiv Produce was created as the ideal solution for discriminating consumers who care about quality, freshness, and kashrus. Postiv owns vast tracts of land in North America and has constructed state of the art greenhouses using an exceedingly fine mesh. The mesh is treated with a specially formulated natural substance that repels insects. Likewise, the ground is periodically treated to ensure a virtually bug-free environment. Postiv employs the services of experienced kashrus supervisors including several who served in that capacity at Gush Katif. There is constant inspection of produce both in the fields and during processing at our modern plant in Allentown, PA. As an added level of protection the processing plant employs a unique patented washing system designed specifically for the removal of thrips and other insects. The equipment features specialized filters and is equipped with a mechanism that rotates the produce so that all sides are exposed to the powerful jets of water. A visiting kashrus supervisor who specializes in this field remarked that the Postiv system is unequalled in any other facility, including the well-known national brands. Postiv Produce represents an unprecedented breakthrough. For the first time, a tremendous variety of high quality, fresh produce is available to the kosher consumer at significantly lower prices!

Postiv Produce Deliciously Kosher!