Solomon’s Delicatessen becomes the first REAL Certified Jewish Deli

Solomon’s Delicatessen, in Davis, CA has undergone the Eat REAL® Certified Audit, becoming the first REAL Certified Jewish Deli in the nation. Their nostalgic classics prepared with a  farm-driven California twist are the result of detailed sourcing and original recipes utilizing clean and healthy ingredients.

“What started as an idea to bring a classic delicatessen experience to the Sacramento region developed into Solomon’s Delicatessen. [We wanted] to honor Tower Records (which originated in Sacramento) and founder Russ Solomon,” explains Andrea Lepore, one of the founders. “Solomon’s, like Tower Records, is a community gathering place where music and culture are celebrated and where everyone is welcome.”

To achieve REAL Certification, Lepore and Executive Chef Aimal Formoli opened their kitchen for an extensive and rigorous audit of all operations and sourcing. Eat REAL’s third-party registered dieticians utilize a points-based REAL Index to audit foodservice providers such as Solomon’s across a range of criteria. In order to become REAL Certified, operators must satisfy prerequisites and earn sufficient points in the areas of nutrition,  food preparation, ingredient sourcing, and environmental stewardship.

“We’re very proud to work with Solomon’s,” says Larry Ruff, CEO at Eat REAL. “Their understanding of the link between food, health, and the environment—as well as guests’ rights to transparency— exemplifies their commitment to being a leader in the movement towards a healthier food landscape.”

The highly-coveted REAL Certification has been achieved by over 500 restaurant and foodservice providers. For Lepore, Solomon’s is the second concept to be recognized by Eat REAL. Hot Italian Pizza, with locations in Emeryville and Sacramento, CA, joined the ranks of REAL Certified in 2016.

Homemade bagels, thoughtfully updated classic dishes, along with a strong support of local farms, has made Solomon’s Delicatessen a much anticipated and well-loved addition to the downtown Davis dining scene.

For more information on Solomon’s Delicatessen, visit their website.

About Eat REAL

Eat REAL® is a 501(c) (3) Public Health nonprofit organization based in Richmond, California. Eat REAL is dedicated to transforming food in K-12 schools, creating a healthier next generation and planet. Launched in 2012, Eat REAL Certified is a nutrition and sustainability best practices certification program working with school district food service leaders to raise the bar and make food in schools more nutritious and sustainable. Eat REAL’s core program currently supports 237 schools, reaching over 116,000 students.