Bashan Hills Kosher Organic Meat Company, Berkeley, CA

Bashan Hills Kosher Organic Meat Company seeks to bring kosher, organic and/or natural beef (and potentially lamb) to the national market. Bashan Hills will partner with smaller-scale ranchers who are guided by sustainable farming practices and who treat their animals humanely and responsibly. Animals will be slaughtered according to Jewish Law (under Orthodox supervision) in facilities that ensure the highest degree of animal welfare. At present, no such product exists for kosher consumers. The kosher market is a fast-growing niche comprised of Jews, Muslims, and many other consumer populations.

I intend to partner with a larger producer whose infrastructure, marketing, and distribution channels are already established. Bashan Hills would then be a specialty brand, with its own kosher production line, within this already existing operation. Ultimately, I want this product to be sold in national chain stores like Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s as well as local kosher food markets. Dr. Temple Grandin, who is the nation's premier authority on humane slaughterhouse design and practice, is a strong supporter of this endeavor. She has high-level contacts throughout the ranching and retail industries and has already put me in touch with Mel Coleman, Jr., CEO of Coleman Natural Meats, whose father pioneered the natural meat industry in the 1970s. He is also enthusiastic and supportive about the idea and could be a potential partner.

At this point, I am looking for a business student(s) to (1) develop a comprehensive business plan and (2) conduct the necessary market research that we could then present to potential partners. Ideally, I would like this project to be entered in the 2007 Global Social Venture Competition. I am open to discussing different compensation possibilities (monetary, equity, partnership) with the right student.

Those interested please contact:

Rabbi Daniel S. Isaacson
1481A Blake Street
Berkeley, CA 94702
510-848-1897
daniel.isaacson@yahoo.com