‘I am heartbroken,’ Seed + Mill co-founder on Brooklyn co-op boycott- interview

Rachel Simons, co-founder of the Israeli tahini brand Seed + Mill, voiced deep sadness following the Park Slope Co-Op's decision to boycott all Israeli products. The New York-based business, which started as a small kiosk in Chelsea Market in 2016, has grown to distribute its sesame products across the US.

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I am absolutely heartbroken

Simons learned of the co-op's vote, where 67% of 6,772 ballots favored the boycott, through the press. She anticipates losing the co-op as a customer but has not received direct communication. This boycott is particularly damaging as it represents a significant account that will affect the company's revenue meaningfully.

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We wanted to open people's minds to the fun and delicious versatility of sesame seeds

Seed + Mill has been a target of BDS campaigns since October 7. Simons worries this boycott could set a precedent for other food co-ops in the US, leading to normalization. She pointed out the irony that both Seed + Mill and another boycotted brand, Al Arz Tahini, are produced by Israeli Arabs in northern Israel. "The stated mission of the boycott is to end apartheid, and I keep saying, what apartheid? My products are made by Israeli-Arabs, not Jewish Israelis," Simons stated.

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It's a very visible storm and my worry is that this sets a precedent for other co-ops. There's a lot of food co-ops in the US and I worry that this becomes normalized for others.