As first reported on the LA Observed Web site, there appears to be a shortage of matzoh this Passover season.
I was surprised.

So on Wednesday, I conducted an informal survey in our area, and stores in the region are in fact missing matzoh.
Not that it really matters now, since Passover Week is about over.

Whats really bugging me anyway this week is the severe lack of kosher Coke. I havent been able to find it anywhere since … well … before Easter.

This is a disturbing trend.

First of all, Im not a big soft drink guy kidney stones a decade ago cemented that decision. Im also not Jewish, so keeping kosher at Passover isnt a holy duty.

But, I gotta say this about stuff thats kosher (or hilal, which is apparently the same thing), you can trust it. Its been blessed. You know that whole higher authority thing.

For example, while pork links from the back of Satriales sure sound tasty, you never really know if you are getting pieces of Richie Aprille mixed in with the anise seed.

Picking up a package of Hebrew National franks on the other hand, pretty much assures purity and tastiness, even without the anise. Definitely without the body parts.

I often find myself looking for the pareve or U symbol on packaged foods much like I look for the letter grade on restaurants. A is great. B maybe. C never. D run before the vermin get you.

All of which probably explains part of the fixation on kosher Coke.

But theres something more to the story. See kosher Coke is made with real sugar. So in my opinion it tastes better.

My colleagues here in the newsroom have told me to get Mexican Coca-Cola, which also has real sugar. Im not convinced its the real thing. (Refer to my packaged food rules above.)

Anyway, Ill continue my search. Apparently Gelsons in Pasadena still has a case or so left.

This is probably all good preparation for the real food shortage on the horizon: rice, flour and cooking oil.

Sams, Costco, and other big box warehouse grocery stores have taken to rationing rice in recent days. Theres even talk about rationing flour and cooking oil.

The staples of home cooking are becoming more expensive and scarce at the same time.

We are moving into potentially scary times. Food shortages are not supposed to happen in the United States, much less California the worlds bread basket.

It wouldnt surprise me to learn that the mystery of the missing matzoh is somehow linked to all this.

So if youve been lucky enough to stumble upon kosher Coke or matzoh in the midst of all this I can only say,

Mazel tov.