In a collaboration with several local Jewish organizations, Carnegie Mellon University has opened the region's first school-sponsored kosher section at its student union food gallery.

Called Kosher Korner, it features salads, sandwiches, entrees, full meals, drinks and snacks and a dedicated microwave. Food prices are in line with the cost of other eating options at Carnegie Mellon.

"This is a full-court commitment from the university to serve kosher students," said Aaron Weil, executive director of The Hillel Jewish University Center, one of the organizations spearheading the effort. "We're really excited about it."

Yearlong preparations, including student advisory groups, taste tests and rabbinic supervision culminated in February when the University Center first made its food gallery's 10-foot-long salad bar kosher, or brought it into compliance with Jewish dietary laws.

Under an agreement with the Jewish Association on Aging, pre-packaged sandwiches plus entrees and full meals are delivered three days a week to Kosher Korner. During the recent Passover, meals were delivered daily.

Tim Michael , director of Carnegie Mellon's housing and dining services, said students' annual feedback surveys led to the Kosher Korner.

"It was really identified as a section of our student body that had a need that we weren't meeting," said Michael.

There are an estimated 4,000 Jewish college students in Pittsburgh, with about 80 percent of them attending Carnegie Mellon and the University of Pittsburgh, plus an undetermined number of faculty and staff.

While the salad bar is used by all Carnegie Mellon students, Michael said between 25 and 50 students use the Kosher Korner on a daily basis.

"I think that number's only going to grow," he said, since vegans, vegetarians and Muslim students who adhere to halal, or Islamically permissable food, likely will use the Kosher Korner.

"The kosher certification process tells you how the food is grown, how the food is prepared and how the food is served," Michael said.

The food is prepared in the kitchen that serves the Charles Morris Nursing Home and Weinberg Village, which are under the auspices of the Jewish Association on Aging. The kitchen and the Kosher Korner are under the supervision of the Rabbinical Council of Greater Pittsburgh.

A similar kosher pilot program is under way at Pitt's Litchfield Towers food court.