Update on the Proposed Boycott of Israeli-sourced Products

Dear Member-Owners,

At its public meeting on June 15, 2026, the East End Food Co-op Board of Directors voted 7–0 against a boycott of Israeli-sourced products, with one abstention. This vote marks the end of a process that began nearly seven months ago, when members submitted a petition, precipitating a special meeting required under our bylaws, and the board’s subsequent decision to conduct an advisory member referendum vote.

In reaching this decision, we obtained member input through a variety of means, including comments shared at our regular monthly meetings, a member survey, discussion at the February 9th Special Meeting, and an Advisory Referendum, which we used to further gauge member opinion. We also engaged with legal experts, investigated the experiences of other cooperatives, and considered the potential operational and financial implications of a boycott for our store.

Based on this evidence, we concluded that a boycott would not be consistent with our responsibility to steward the Co-op as a shared institution that serves all members equally and remains focused on its core mission. This conclusion was reflected in Monday night’s vote.

Some members may wonder why the Board’s decision differs from the narrow majority reflected in the Advisory Referendum. The referendum was an important source of input, but it was only one source. In the end, the closeness of the referendum result (50% to 49%), together with the limited participation rate (less than 4% of all members voted), reinforced the importance of considering more than just the referendum as we determined the best path forward for the Co-op.

We recognize that this decision may be disappointing to some members, particularly those who worked hard and in good faith to bring this issue before the Board. At the same time, we hope everyone can take pride in the fact that our Co-op provided space for thoughtful discussion, respectful disagreement, and meaningful member participation throughout this process.

We remain united by far more than what divides us: a shared commitment to a thriving cooperative, access to healthy food, support for local producers, concern for our community, and a belief in democratic governance. We look forward to continuing that work together.

In cooperation,

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