Umbrella group for bodega owners reject calls for boycott of Goya products in Tri-State area

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Sunday, July 19, 2020
'The United Bodegas of America' denounce Goya boycott
Members of "The United Bodegas of America" said, "You do not boycott family."

NEW YORK CITY (WABC) -- The umbrella group for bodega owners has flatly rejected calls for a boycott of Goya products.

Members of The United Bodegas of America gathered to say member stores will keep stocking the food maker's products, stating, "You do not boycott family."

Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda are among many prominent Latinos who immediately called for a boycott after Goya Foods CEO Robert Unanue said the country is blessed to have a leader like President Trump.

RELATED | Ivanka Trump defends Goya Foods post that watchdogs call unethical

Trump tweeted the next day about his "love" for Goya, and his daughter followed up late Tuesday by tweeting the photo of herself holding a can of Goya black beans with a caption that read, "If it's Goya, it has to be good," in English and Spanish.

The bodega group later called Goya "the most socially responsible company in the world."

"Goya Foods employs over 5,000 people in the Tristate area, these are 5000 of our Family members that Goya is supporting. Goya is not just a brand they're an Institutional Family member. We will never turn our backs on those that have been there for all Latin America. Lets raise and commend Goya Foods for all the good they have done, lets NOT allow anyone to tell us what we can or can't buy, Si Es Goya Tiene Que Ser Bueno. Lets leave it at that", said Fernando Mateo, spokesman for UBA.

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