Special Meeting Notice

Happy New Year to all EEFC members from your board of directors. This is a follow-up to the announcement of the special meeting sent on December 13th. EEFC will hold a special meeting on Monday, February 9, 2026, at 7:00 PM. The meeting is required under EEFC bylaw 3.2, the board having received a formal petition requesting that EEFC establish a boycott of “Israeli-sourced products.” In addition to fulfilling bylaw requirements, the goal of the meeting is to facilitate member-wide discussion on the topic of a potential boycott and inform future board decisions on the next step. No vote will occur at this meeting.

In the interest of having as many EEFC members attend the meeting as we can, and given the vagaries of winter weather, the meeting will be held virtually. An independent moderator hired by the board will oversee and manage the progression of speakers at the meeting, and shall have full discretion in doing so. A link to attend the virtual meeting will be provided in a future communication. Verification of membership will be required to attend the virtual meeting.

Although we welcome this discussion, the board opposes the boycott. We believe that such a boycott would not “enhance physical and social health to our community,” nor would it truly leave our business “open to everyone,” both of which are called for in EEFC’s ends statement. However, the special meeting presents an opportunity for the board and the membership to hear from representative voices on all sides of the issues raised by the petition.

After hours of board discussion, consultation with EEFC’s business attorneys, and research into other food co-ops’ experiences of similar boycott proposals, the board has agreed on a special meeting process and structure outlined further below. The board believes this meeting will be fair and equitable. Membership will have the opportunity to inform the community on differing opinions, as well as inform the board on what to consider when overseeing this process.

 

Pre-Meeting Member Submissions and Speaker Requests

Members who would like to share their thoughts regarding the issues raised by the petition and request the opportunity to speak at the special meeting may do so by completing a written submission form (see Written Submission Format below). All submissions will be read by the board. The deadline for submissions is 8:00 PM EST Wednesday, January 28, 2026.

Members requesting the option to speak will have their written statements reviewed by both the board and representatives of the petitioners, who will then choose the respective speakers. The board will choose speakers for the “anti” boycott position, the petitioners will choose the “pro” boycott speakers. In addition to opening statements by the board and the petitioners, there will be up to five speakers for each side of the petition, with each speaker allotted up to six minutes, two minutes for each of the three questions outlined below. Members selected to speak will be contacted by the board, and the final list of speakers will be shared with members ahead of the meeting and placed on the agenda.

 

Written Submission Format

The written submission form is available at the link below. This form is also available at the customer service desk to be filled out via paper. It consists of the following:

  1. Name
  2. Would you like to speak at the special meeting?
  3. What are the arguments in favor of, or against, establishing a boycott of “Israeli products” at EEFC?
  4. What are the arguments in favor of, or against, the EEFC holding a binding referendum of its members on the question of establishing such a boycott?
  5. Beyond the outcome on the issue of establishing a boycott, what are your hopes as we all move forward from this moment of thoughtful and complex decision-making at EEFC?

https://forms.gle/iqrbwaMq1oH9s3Gt8

 

Special Meeting Agenda

  1. Board Opening Statement (5 minutes)
  2. Petitioners’ Opening Statement (5 minutes)
  3. Moderator’s Opening Statement (5 minutes)
  4. Alternating Speakers (5 per side, 6 minutes each)
  5. Board Closing Remarks on Post-Special Meeting Process

 

Our EEFC bylaws provide for this unique opportunity in which we come together as a community to hear each other on an important question affecting our co-op. The issue before us is complex and laden with strong emotion. Our decisions will have significant reverberations within our community and region. Through this process, the EEFC will strive to continue to be a center for healthy food, healthy people, and a healthy community.

The board urges all members to attend the special meeting and to take advantage of the opportunities to contribute provided for in the above. Members can expect a follow up communication within the next few weeks with instructions on virtual attendance.

Thank you,

East End Food Co-op Board of Directors
boardofdirectors@eastendfood.coop