He is calling for the boycott
because of the role that Starbucks has allegedly played in a court
case over genetically modified food items.
Young claims that the international
coffee chain has been working with, and under the protection of, an
organization called the Grocery Manufacturer’s Association, or GMA.
In Vermont, the GMA, along with three other food companies, is suing
the state over a law requiring foods to be labeled as to whether or
not they contain genetically modified ingredients. Regarding the
Vermont law, the GMA supports the idea that the law infringes on
their own and other corporations’ right to free speech. Starbucks
is, indeed, one of the GMA’s member companies, but Starbucks
representatives claim that their indivdual company has no role to
play in the court case.
As part of his plea for a Starbucks
boycott, Young has posted an open letter on his website. He urges the
coffee chain, which has previously shown its progressive values in
its treatment of LGBT employees, health care issues, and other labor
disputes, to step up and take a stand against GMO foods, or at least
their incorporation into products purchased by unsuspecting
consumers. Young cites the fact that he was, in the past, a daily
consumer of Starbucks beverages. However, he claims to have enjoyed
his last cup of the company’s coffee until the GMO food issue can
be satisfactorily resolved. Young is currently in the process of
releasing his 35th album, Storytone, and hopes that
publicity for the new album can help draw attention to the issue of
GMO foods. The musician has long spoken out against GMO foods and
companies like Monsanto, and he believes that the current Vermont
court case is just another example of big business infringing on the
rights of farmers and consumers.
At this time, Starbucks states that
it has declined to take a stand on the issue of GMO foods. As
previously mentioned, the company’s representation also states that
the company has no stake in the course or outcome of the Vermont
legal battle. However, the company also has not condemned the GMA’s
move. In fact, Starbucks reps, pointing to the fact that the company
has locations all across the United States, have stated that they are
far more supportive of overall federal rulings on GMO foods, as
opposed to state-by-state decisions.
Will Neil Young’s call to action
lead to a boycott that deeply affects the coffee giant? With
Starbucks’ many stand-alone, mall, and grocery store locations, it
is hard to say what will happen during the busy holiday shopping
season.
