THE ‘COD-FATHER’

Cardona’s Market creates sandwich for Lent to benefit Catholic Charities

The "COD-Father" is a sandwich created by Cardona's Market for Lent that will benefit Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Albany. The sandwich consists of a fried cod filet topped with fresh coleslaw, pickle chips, mayonnaise and house-made citrus vinaigrette on a grilled brioche bun. (Photo courtesy of courtesy of Mark Bardack/ELA )

Cardona’s Market is making an offer you can’t refuse this Lent.

Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Albany is collaborating with the family-owned specialty foods market and catering service to launch a limited-time specialty menu item — the “COD-Father” sandwich — in celebration of the Lenten season. 

The “COD-Father” is available to guests now through Holy Thursday, April 2, at all three of Cardona’s locations (340 Delaware Ave.,in Albany; 9 Cobbee Road in Latham; and 222 Washington St., in Saratoga Springs).

The new sandwich features a fried cod filet topped with fresh coleslaw, pickle chips, mayonnaise and house-made citrus vinaigrette on a grilled brioche bun.  A portion of the proceeds from the “COD-Father” sales will go to benefit Catholic Charities and its many services that span across the Albany Diocese and Capital Region.  

“We are grateful to Cardona’s for helping us raise awareness about our mission of providing the most vulnerable populations in the Greater Capital Region with much-needed assistance,” said Catholic Charities CEO Sister Betsy Van Deusen. “These opportunities to support our work as a charitable organization are invaluable, and Cardona’s has found a delicious and creative way to do so.”  

Established in 1917 as a ministry of the Catholic Diocese of Albany, Catholic Charities helps an estimated 80,000 people each year across the 14 local counties that it serves, with the majority of these individuals receiving multiple services with a total reach of services going well beyond 80,000. 

“We are happy to support the work of Catholic Charities to feed the hungry, house the homeless and provide after school opportunities for children across our community,” said Cardona’s Market co-owner and executive chef Robert Cardona, Jr. “We encourage our loyal customers to enjoy the “COD-Father” during this season of Lent while knowing that their meal will also help those in need.” 

Cardona’s Albany and Latham markets are open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and the Saratoga market is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. All three locations are open Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Cardona’s Market was named 2024 Family Business of the Year by the Albany Business Review and has been voted Best Caterer of the Capital Region for four consecutive years by Times Union readers.