Food

Nearly 50,000 people are petitioning Starbucks to stop charging extra for vegan milk

Got milk? (Picture: Getty Images/EyeEm)

A quarter of Brits drink plant based milks… and yet, Starbucks charges extra for a splash of almond or oat.

Which is why nearly 50,000 latte lovers are petitioning the coffee giants to stop making a quick buck off their non-dairy choice.

Starbucks currently offers a tonne of delicious vegan drinks, from coconut lattes to almond milk frappucinos.

But baristas still charge more for vegan milks when it comes to standard coffees.

A new petition by PETA is asking Starbucks – which has 988 stores in the UK alone – to ditch the plant-based surcharge.

The animal rights group says that in light of the fact that so many of us are choosing coconut over cows milk for environmental/animal welfare/health concerns, its time for Starbucks to rethink their approach to costing.

Starbucks should be encouraging customers to choose animal-friendly, vegan milks rather than cows milk, the group says, citing other coffee houses that offer alternative milks for free.

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The petition, which currently has 49,194 signatories, offers concerned coffee drinkers the opportunity to put the following to Starbucks chiefs:

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I love Starbucks and frequent the chain to order coffee with either coconut, soy, or almond milk.

But Im disappointed that I continue to be charged extra for ordering dairy-free milk in my drink. Customers shouldnt have to pay more for choosing a healthy, animal- and environmentally friendly option.

By charging an additional fee for vegan milks, Starbucks is likely deterring some people from trying them in their drinks. Everyone should be able to order nondairy milk at no extra charge.

A massive chain such as Starbucks can afford to offer vegan milk without tacking on a surcharge, and I hope youll consider making this move to “earn points” and not only keep customers who already order dairy-free milk coming back but also encourage others to make healthier, more compassionate choices.

PETA claims that Costa Coffee doesnt charge extra, despite them doing so when they first introduced alternative milks into their menu last year.

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Weve asked Starbucks why they charge extra for non-dairy milks, but havent heard back yet. When we do, well update this article to include their response.

So why might there be a surcharge in the first place?

Well, it could be a question of numbers.

Buying small quantities of plant-based milks can be more expensive than bulk buying dairy thats guaranteed to sell. But then again, we know that loads of Brits drink non-dairy milks, and giving people the option to do so without making them spend more is how you encourage others to give it a go.

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And then theres the fact that many baristas will argue that cheaper plant-based milks simply arent as good as cows cream for frothing or thickening. Thats why there was a massive shortage of barista-grade Oatly last year.

Coffee shops in London found themselves unable to cope with the demand for the creamy milk last November.

James Penn, owner of east London-based Hackney Coffee Company told Sky News that hed contacted his suppliers and theyd all run ouRead More – Source

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