UI’s club The Local Herbivores argues Starbucks can afford to ditch their nondairy milk upcharge

Members of The Local Herbivores, a University of Idaho student group, staged a sit-in at the on campus Starbucks on Deakin Street to protest the upcharge of plant-based milk on Wednesday.

The protest is part of a nationwide campaign recently launched by animal-rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) who are urging Starbucks to reconsider its nondairy upcharge policy or ditch dairy entirely.

The Local Herbivores’ President Kaylee Carr said she wants Starbucks to stop punishing customers for choosing a healthier, more sustainable option.

“Starbucks is a billion-dollar company,” Carr said. “They can afford to not charge for dairy free alternatives.”

Most coffee shops offer alternatives to dairy milk at an extra cost, typically an additional 50 cents to a dollar per drink. Popular plant-based options include almond, soy, oat and coconut milk.

According to a press release from Starbucks’ CEO Kevin Johnson on Jan. 21., Starbucks is committed to reducing its environmental impact by offering more plant-based options on its menu, among other efforts.

Starbucks could not be reached for additional comment.

“It’s contradictory to say, ‘We’re going to add more vegan options, but we’re also going to penalize you for taking it,’” Emma Balderson, a protestor, said.

According to a statement from Dutch Bros. Coffee, they similarly have a 50-cent upcharge on alternative milk, because they are more expensive for the company to purchase than regular dairy milk.

Lisa Bafus, co-owner and manager at locally owned Café Artista, said they charge a $1 upcharge for alternative milk because they are more expensive to buy.

“The companies we buy our alternative milks from charge us so much that we have to pass that price on to the consumer,” Bafus said. “We try really hard to make it a fair price, but unfortunately nondairy milks are much more expensive than dairy.”

Protestors on campus said they chose Starbucks because they find Starbucks’ nondairy upcharge in contradiction with their recent sustainability campaign.

Chris Kinnaird, another protestor, said the cruelty involved with animal agriculture is one of the reasons he opposes the upcharge.

“Milk is cruel,” Kinnaird said. “We’re taking babies away from their mothers and forcing them to produce milk over and over again until they can’t produce it at a level that is profitable anymore, and then they’re slaughtered.”

Angela Palermo can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @apalermooo