Advisory Referendum Voting Info
Dear Member Owner,
As highlighted in previous communication, the Board is asking for additional member-input about whether our Co-op should implement a boycott of Israeli-sourced products via an advisory referendum.
This email provides important background information on this issue, enabling members to submit an informed advisory vote. Member input is vital to our organization. To date, we have hosted a Special Meeting where speakers on both sides presented arguments for and against a boycott. We hosted an online survey submission form for members to submit their comments. Many Board Meetings have included comments from members. This advisory vote is the final step in this process prior to the Board’s final decision. The Board will use the results of the advisory referendum, including the level of member participation, as it deliberates on the next steps.
The EEFC unites a community around a common goal, creating a sustainable place for healthy people to obtain healthy food. We ask that members take advantage of this unique opportunity in our community by submitting their advisory vote on this issue.
This Email Includes
- Board Statement on this boycott
- Timeline of the Advisory referendum
- Member statements both for and against a boycott of Israeli products
- Voting logistics and next steps
- What the Board will do with the results
Board Statement
The Board of Directors is responsible for governing the Co-op and ensuring that its mission is carried out faithfully and responsibly. Central to that mission are the principles of equitable access and fiscal responsibility. For these reasons, we believe that a boycott of Israeli products is not the right step for the Co-op at this time.
Boycotts can be meaningful acts of political expression. However, they are only appropriate when there is broad alignment behind a single purpose. In this case, a significant portion of our member-owners oppose a boycott. Many do not want the Co-op to adopt political positions that conflict with their own views. Requiring such alignment would undermine our commitment to open and inclusive membership.
We are also mindful of the potential impact on our broader community. For many in Pittsburgh’s Jewish community, a boycott would be experienced as exclusionary and harmful, corroding our shared sense of belonging. These impacts would be immediate and concrete, while any potential benefits would be uncertain and longer-term. This imbalance matters—it would be irresponsible to accept certain harms for uncertain benefits.
As fiduciaries, the Board also has a legal duty to safeguard the Co-op’s financial and operational stability. A boycott would introduce very real risks. These include potential loss of revenue if members or customers choose to disengage, possible exposure to legal challenges, and the risk of affecting our eligibility for public programs such as SNAP and Food Bucks that many members rely on (under Title 62 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, an anti-BDS law adopted in 2016). Taken together, these risks are significant, and they would seriously threaten the Co-op’s ability to effectively serve our community.
Finally, we have serious concerns about the practical challenges of implementation. Key terms in the proposed boycott framework—such as “occupation,” “foreign land,” “all wars”, and “in adherence with international law”—are not clearly defined. Even identifying “Israeli-sourced products” can be complex within the reality of global supply chains. Without clear and workable standards, implementation would be inconsistent and arbitrary, placing additional strain on staff. In a competitive retail environment, this added complexity would substantially detract from our core operations and negatively affect our long-term health.
We recognize that events in the Middle East are deeply concerning, and that members hold a wide range of perspectives. Our role as a Board is not to resolve these differences, but to ensure that the Co-op remains a welcoming, inclusive, and sustainable community resource for all. We believe it is possible to be true to our values while also respecting each other’s opinions and embracing our differences. We believe a boycott is wrong for our Co-op and our community at this time.
Timeline of the Advisory Referendum
- Voting Period Begins: April 28, 2026 at 9am
- Voting Period End: May 28, 2026 at 12pm
Member statements both for and against a boycott of Israeli products
Linked below are two statements from member owners, one in favor of a boycott and one opposed to a boycott. The “pro” statement was provided by the member-group Co-ops Against Genocide and the “con” statement was provided by the member group East End Food Co-op Together. These statements were solicited by the Board to help members better understand the issues prior to the vote.
Click here to read the “pro” statement
Click here to read the “con” statement
Please note that these statements were not drafted by the Board. We are not responsible for the language used here and make no representation related to the accuracy of the information and citations used by the drafters.
Voting Logistics and Timeline
Members can vote online at https://eastendfoodcoop.simplyvoting.com/
- Voting has started and will close on May 28, 2026 at 12pm . We will send additional reminders when the voting is open and mid-way through the voting period
- You will be required to log in to vote
- Your login is your Member Number. Your Member Number is a portion of the number on the back of your member card. Remove the leading ‘4’ and all zeros as well as the last digit. Example: Card number (4 00000 16989 7 or 4 00000 169897) = Member Number 16989
- Your password is your last name + your 5 digit zip code. Names are all lowercase with no hyphens, spaces, or special characters. Examples: Joe Smith, Jr. = smith12345, Jane O’Rochester = orochester12345, John Weaver-Cooperator = weavercooperator12345
- If you have trouble finding your member number or need to confirm your password, please email at election@eastendfood.coop
- Members new to EEFC after 4/27 will not be eligible to vote
What Board will do with results
To make our final decision, the Board will incorporate the results of the advisory referendum, including the level of member participation in the vote. Additionally, the Board will consider input from Management; its interpretation of the potential business, legal, and operational effects of a boycott; and the alignment of a boycott with our Ends Statement.
As a member-owned organization, we can only thrive with your ongoing and active participation. Thank you in advance for taking the time to ensure your voice is heard through your vote.
In cooperation,
East End Food Co-op Board of Directors
boardofdirectors@eastendfood.coop