Receipt of BDS Petition
From your board of directors:
We are writing today to announce a special meeting of the membership, which is occurring per our bylaws, sections 3.2 and 3.3. The board received a petition, signed by the requisite minimum 500 members of the Co-op, at our annual meeting on November 6, 2025. The signatures were validated by board and management on December 8, 2025. The text of the petition reads as follows:
“We, the undersigned, support a boycott of all Israeli-sourced products at the East End Food Co-op (EEFC) in response to Israel’s ongoing genocide of the Palestinian people and war in the Middle East. To advance the store’s mission to establish “an ethical and resilient food infrastructure,” as outlined in the EEFC ends statement, we request a special meeting (EEFC Bylaw 3.2) and a referendum vote asking EEFC member-owners the following:
‘Should EEFC implement a boycott of all Israeli-sourced products until and unless Israel 1) immediately ends all wars and 2) ends its occupation of any foreign land in adherence with international law.” Yes/No’
We cannot in good conscience delay this matter until the next regular board of directors election cycle. We request that the board of directors deliver to the membership a binding referendum within 30 and 120 days from receipt of this petition.”
The special meeting shall take place on February 9, 2026. Attendance shall be limited to members of the EEFC, and an invitation shall be sent by email to members prior to the meeting.
No votes shall be taken at this meeting. This special meeting shall be for discussion only, as per EEFC bylaw 3.2.
The issues for discussion shall be limited to the following:
- What are the arguments in favor of, and against, the EEFC establishing a boycott of “Israeli products” as per the petition language?
- What are the arguments in favor of, and against, the EEFC holding a binding referendum of the members on the question of establishing such a boycott?
The next pressing task in the process is to determine the best format for EEFC at the special meeting. The board has already spent time in discussing and researching various formats, and will be continuing to do so upon the seating of our newly-elected and appointed board members. The board’s emphasis in this work will be providing for an equitable representation of viewpoints on the specified issues for discussion. Members can expect a communication from the board regarding that format within the next few weeks.
EEFC’s board and management previously released the following statement:
The East End Food Co-op’s mission is to serve the local community, regardless of identity or affiliation. We work to foster an environment where everyone is treated with dignity and respect.
The ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine has been rigorously considered by our board and management. Organizationally, EEFC does not take an official stance on international conflicts. While we find violence and suffering reprehensible, as a business EEFC has purposely refrained from supporting or denouncing either side. This includes declining requests to participate in any boycotts.
As a member-owned and member-operated entity we are constantly learning. We value input from all stakeholders, providing ample opportunities for staff, management and members to share their ideas, opinions and concerns through open board meetings, comment cards, emails, our annual meeting, and more. We also expect everyone — employees and members alike — to uphold respectful conduct in the co-op environment.
EEFC encourages all members to participate in its governance by attending meetings, voting in elections, joining board committees, and running for the board of directors. Our focus remains on uniting the community around healthy, accessible food, cooperative values and a respectful, inclusive atmosphere.