Starbucks has announced it will stop offering organic milk. As of February 26th you'll no longer be able to get a tall non-fat organic latte, at least not at Starbucks anyway. What does this mean for coffee addicts? Well, if the primary reason you're committed to drinking organic milk is in order to avoid recombinant bovine growth hormone (rBGH), which is given to dairy cows in order to increase the amount of milk they produce, Starbucks is now claiming that their regular dairy supply is 100% free of the controversial drug. However, if your reasons for going organic go beyond the issue of rBGH, you may need to go elsewhere for your coffee fix.
According to a press statement, Starbucks say they only began offering organic milk in 2001 "as an interim solution" for customers who wanted milk that was produced without the use of rBGH, which is banned in many countries. At the time the Seatle-based company experienced difficulty sourcing enough rBGH-free milk to supply all their US coffee shops. However, the company now claim that as of the beginning of January their entire dairy supply (milk, half & half, and whipping cream) comes from suppliers that do not use rBGH.
This however doesn't address the concerns of those who go organic because they're worried about the use of other hormones and antibiotics, pesticides in the animals' food supply, or those who care about the general treatment of dairy herds. Nor will it satisfy those seeking the increased nutritional benefits organic milk has been shown to offer. But since the benefits of organic milk go beyond the issue of one specific growth hormone why did Starbucks make the decision to eliminate organic milk from their menu completely? Michelle Gass, the company's senior vice president of global strategy, said that "drinks with organic milk account for less than 1% of Starbucks' beverage sales," and "far and away, the No. 1 reason people are purchasing organic milk is because [it lacks] the growth hormone."
If the reason for Starbucks' about face on organic milk is due to the fact that they do not have the consumer support, in terms of paying an increased cost at the till, this can be a lesson for all of us who talk about supporting organics but don't actually purchase organic products. In a capitalist society, the most powerful way the masses can be heard is through their spending patterns. We can talk about democracy solving all our problems, but the truth is that the almighty dollar reigns supreme, and that is what we need to be voting with on a daily basis. When we buy organic milk, even if it is more expensive, we support the existence and growth of progressive organic farms who need our dollars more than they need our words of praise.
If someone's into organic foods and healthy eating, why are they at a Starbucks? They're not. I think that is why offering organic milk hasn't worked for Starbucks. "Yes, I'll take my large cup of unhealthyness with a dollop of goodness. Thank you." No thanks.