FIPS Broken News: Is There Another Food Coop Boycott on the Way?

The venerable neighborhood institution that is no stranger to controversy is sharpening it's kitchen sheers for another boycott and this time they may not be alone. You guessed it, the Park Slope Food COOP is getting ready to put the screws to another company whose practices are as foul smelling as rotten organic  A FIPS insider sent us the agenda for July 29th General Meeting. It seemed pretty standard till we came across, ITEM 3, which reads:

Item 3: Discontinue Eden Foods Due to Anti-Contraceptive Policy (30 min.) Discussion:

Part I: Because Eden Foods has elected to not cover their female employees for contraceptive health care, resolved to not carry their products until Eden Foods changes their policy.

Part II: Resolved to form a committee to contact other retailers to form a coalition to address and publicize this issue.—submitted by Melvin Hess

Many Bothans died to bring us that information. But fear not Melvin, we're already helping you with Item 3, Part II.

Here's the skinny: The founder of Eden Foods, Michael Potter, says he doesn't want to pay for certain types of contraception for his female employees required by the Affordable Care Act. According to Forbes, the big ole Catholic Potter called the act, "unconstitutional government overreach" and that he “believes that any action which either before, at the moment of, or after sexual intercourse, is specifically intended to prevent procreation, whether as an end or means — including abortifacients and contraception — is wrong.”

So he sued the Department of Health and Human Services. When the Court of Appeals told him to take his law suit and shove it because a for-profit organization couldn't exercise religion, Potter's prayers were immediately answered when the next day the Supreme Court, ruled that Hobby Lobby Billionare David Green didn't have to cover two types of IUD's and other contraceptives. Thus Eden Foods's case is back in the Court of Appeals. 

The Food Coop is not alone in staging a boycott of Eden Foods as other organic food cooperatives are planning similar initiative. But The Coop's new, sassy Gowanesian neighbor Whole Foods says it won't take part in a boycott of Eden Foods products. Their spokesperson Michael Silverman told Forbes:

When reviewing products for our shelves, our primary consideration is whether a product’s ingredients meet our Quality Standards. We recognize and respect that customers have their own personal criteria for buying or not buying a product, and it’s every shoppers’ right to vote with their dollars on that basis. We hope that if people have feedback for Eden Foods, they share it with them directly.

As for the Food Coop, I guess we'll have to wait till July 29th to find out if it's going to happen. Stay tuned!