One of the things that make the Holly Lobby decision so frustrating is that there appeared to be little the left can do in the short term. Boycotting Hobby Lobby is great, and I fully support all who do so, but in truth, shopping in one of their stores is something I would never have done anyway. On the other hand, we can put a dent in the finances of Eden foods, because so many activists are also into organic foods. They certainly deserve it.
Yesterday on my public Facebook page, I began following the story of Eden Foods (this is a good place to start), an organic food company whose products are beloved by many friends, especially my vegetarian and vegan friends (they make beans and soy milk, among other products).
In 2013, the company and their chairman and sole shareholder, Michael Potter, sued the federal government for the right to deny contraceptive coverage to their employees. Here’s the court filing.
The plaintiffs, Eden Foods, Inc., and Michael Potter, appeal from a denial of their request for a preliminary injunction that would forbid federal agencies from enforcing that mandate against them. They contend that offering such contraceptive services to the employees of Eden Foods would substantially burden the plaintiffs’ religious beliefs.
Potter refers to contraceptives as "lifestyle drugs. [pseudo-Christians delinked]" He has compared buying birth-control pills to Jack Daniels. He believes that "Obama’s in your bedroom" and that he a defender of freedom, and has also characterized Obama as a dictator. Moreover, he actually can’t identify which religious principle in particular leads him to object to providing birth control.
Two things interest me here. First, I have my doubts whether an organic food company can survive a boycott from progressives. Whole Foods has managed to be an anti-union corporation with CEO who likes to go on Obama-is-a-fascist rants (speaking as a historian, this is not what fascism looks like) and yet still thrive. I rarely shop there, but they seem to do alright, in part by providing the only option for high-quality insanely-expensive fancy foods in many area. Eden Foods has to compete with other, less offensive (in public anyway. EDIT: I assume few CEOs share my values), brands.
Second, I am always interested in the way that white wealthy Christians present themselves as victims (my public writing is coordinated under the general heading of "language, power, and privilege."). There is power in simultaneously claiming righteous might while also under assault by powerful and nefarious forces. It’s an old rhetorical move and remains widely spread among the American Christian right (see my CNN.com piece on Sarah Palin at the NRA). In response to the outrage at their position, Eden Foods has gone on the defensive-offense… [emphasis added]
Inserted from <Daily Kos>
In a separate article, Daily Kos has a petition to the CEO of Eden Foods. It threatens a boycott, so it’s certainly worth signing. But this isn’t the first time this company has ventured into the arena of Republican Supply-side pseudo-Christian attempts to violated the rights of others to impose their own dogma. I went to their own store locator and found six local businesses that carry their products. I called them and have spoken with the managers of five. One knew about this, and said the owners are making a decision on whether to stop selling Eden. The other four did not even know about Eden’s involvement. Two did not care, one said he would discuss the matter with the owners, and one was very angry that Eden would do such a thing. She said that, if the owners would not pull Eden’s plug, she would advise her customers to choose different brands.
That’s what one tired old man can do. Imagine what thousands of really pissed-off women could accomplish.
16 Responses to “Boycott Eden Foods!”
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Eden Foods–among many, many others–is on my list, T.C.. Koch Bros.? Wouldn't think of it. Coca-cola? Wouldn't think of that, either. Whenever a major corporation cops an attitude, so do I. I haven't purchased product from many of these arrogant, tax-dodging, socially and environmentally destructive corporations in years. Comcast is one of very few exceptions to my philosophy of not rewarding or enabling corporate assholery, but when I find a viable alternative, I'll ditch them, too.
I have it in my head that I was already boycotting Eden Foods for some purity issue. GMO? Non-organic ingresients? I can't find the chart now but if I find it I will elaborate. Not a great company.
I have already signed petitions to boycott Eden foods and co-signed a letter to the CEO. SCROTUS really screwed up big time in their wars against the US population.
2 petitons sgned. Organic Eden Foods’ quiet right-wing agenda
Just got through reading about this article below and have decided to quit the purchasing of all Eden Products. http://www.salon.com/2013/04/11/organic_eden_foods_quiet_right_wing_agenda/
Thanks, Jim. Signing. Edie
The two petitions are listed in my comment box on the C2 page. Jim.
Sorry, my mistake, I thought there was a petition, read the article, though.
Since I am a country bumpkin, there are no stores here that sell Eden foods, but will certainly sign the petitions. Thanks, TC. I so sick of these pseudo Christians using their faith as an excuse to be mean and miserly.
Because I am not familiar with Eden Foods and I wanted to see if they were in Canada, I googled them and got this: Eden Foods – Creation and Maintenance of Purity in Food. Obviously, the creation and maintenance of purity in ethics is not part of their credo. And available in Canada . . . you bet! Near me, they are available at Pomme (aka Planet Organic) and the Real Canadian Superstore, both of which I frequent. I may have to have a chat with the store managers, or in the case of Real Canadian Superstore, with their head office. They are part of the Loblaw's group.
Say what? . . . and he can’t identify which religious principle in particular leads him to object to providing birth control? Can you say he hasn't any religious principles or personal ones either except greed.
Lifestyle? Now I consider non medicinal marijuana a lifestyle drug, not contraception. I wonder what he would say to women who use contraception for medical reasons unrelated to pregnancy?
Interesting how Eden Foods responded to the author's e-mail comment.
As the author noted, he did not mention Hobby Lobby in his short e-mail to Eden Foods. I smell a "conspiracy" of sorts on the right. I mentioned the other day that perhaps someone powerful on the right but in the background put Hobby Lobby up to their court challenge. This makes it seem more plausible to me.
Daily Kos petition signed.
Thanks all. I'm rushing.
A Republican shill on Care2 actually accused me of wanting to be on the pill so I can have all the sex I want without getting pregnant. What kind af fool does not realize that TomCats have kitty dingles? 🙄
That's an easy question to answer! Repulicanus/Teabagger fools who don't acknowledge science and sex ed! Probably figures that kids are found under cabbages too!
Or delivered by storks.
Perhaps the fool thinks you are transgendered? Oh, probably not, the rant would have been even more vitriolic.
A Republican fool!
Oh TC – that is the best laugh that I have had all day – I roared with laughter at the Republican who accused you of wanting to be on the pill – what an utter, UTTER, numbskull!!!
Thanks for this article – we have to be so careful these days about not only what we eat and wear – but whether someone like this nasty greedy little man featured is behind it all with a secret agenda!
Thanks all. How could even a Republican have missed anything so BIG!! 🙁
😉