Banff, a picturesque town nestled in the Canadian Rockies in Alberta, Canada, about 80 mins west of Calgary, is known for its stunning natural hot springs, ski slopes, and breathtaking vistas. Home to Banff National Park, Canada’s First National Park, it is a prime destination for vacationers, hosting about 5 million tourists annually—including tens of thousands of Jewish visitors—the demand for kosher food has been a notable gap in this idyllic setting. Until now, finding kosher food in this remote vacation town was challenging.
Chabad of the Canadian Rockies has stepped in to fill this void with the launch of a state-of-the-art, 30-foot mobile glatt-kosher commercial kitchen. This innovative mobile kitchen is set to transform Banff into a welcoming destination for kosher tourists. The kitchen was initiated by Rabbi Dovid and Devorah Pinson, who recently moved to Banff and have extensive experience in Jewish communal activities. Their efforts in the community include organizing holiday celebrations, Shabbat dinners, and family events.
The mobile kitchen is already proving to be a vital asset to the community, with events like a destination Bar Mitzvah already scheduled for July. Rabbi Menachem Matusof, Senior Rabbi & Executive Director of Chabad Lubavitch of Alberta, noted that establishing a Chabad center in the Rockies has been a long-standing goal. He praised the Pinson family’s appointment as fulfilling a crucial role in enhancing Jewish life for both locals and tourists.
Banff National Park, on the outskirts of the town of Banff, is celebrated as one of the world’s premier mountain destinations. The park was established in 1885 and covers 6,641 square kilometers (2,564 square miles) of mountainous terrain. This includes scenic valleys, peaks, glaciers, forests, and rivers. Its easy access to the vast wilderness makes it especially appealing. The park is also a sanctuary for wildlife, including black and grizzly bears, elk, deer, and bighorn sheep, drawing nature enthusiasts and adventurers alike to its expansive and pristine landscapes.
With the new kosher mobile kitchen, Jewish visitors can now fully embrace the natural beauty and outdoor adventures of Banff National Park without compromising their dietary observances, making it an even more attractive destination. Contact the Chabad of the Rockies through their website for ordering details.
