The Midwood section of Brooklyn, a largely Orthodox neighborhood known for it’s busy thoroughfare, “Avenue J,” where kosher eateries sprout like mushrooms (and where, ironically, I consumed one bite of the most disgusting mushroom pizza I’ve ever come across), is getting a culinary face lift. The newly opened Pomegranate, a 20,000 square-foot supermarket, exclusively sells kosher-certified products. The store, which houses three kitchens (dairy, meat, and parve) also features items that are not regularly found in kosher stores like organic produce, panko breadcrumbs, and fresh mozarella.

With such a massive square footage, and press mentions this week in both the New York Times Dining Section and New York Magazine (as well as across a smattering of blogs), Pomegranate is the embodiment of the kosher consumers’ growing desire to eat outside of the traditional “Jewish foods” box. The store also indicates that healthy and sustainable food trends are beginning to make their way into the kosher community. (The boxes of matzo now come in whole wheat form.) Granted, the organic produce at Pomegranate was likely grown in Peru, and many of the “healthy” products sold at the store boast questionable or outdated “nutritionism” health benefits like, “With Splenda! No carbs! Sweet! Low cholesterol!” But it’s definitely a step in a healthy direction. I hope they make pizza!