Vegans Are Holding Sit-Ins At Starbucks To Protest The Higher Prices Of Dairy-Free Drinks
Vegans are protesting at certain Starbucks outposts over the price of non-dairy milk. The price disparity of a normal drink versus one that includes non-dairy milk varies from location to location, but non-dairy milk drinks are always more expensive than a drink with cow's milk.
A report by INSIDER confirmed that the prices vary by region. Per the report:
In New York City, a typical Starbucks latte comes in at around $4.78 (according to an online menu), but when swapped with soy, almond, or coconut milk, that price rises to over $5.30. In the Midwest, you'll pay just over $4 for a regular latte, plus an extra 60 cents for nondairy milk, making the vegan version 15 percent more expensive.
Charging more for plant-based alternatives is quite common, and is known as the "vegan tax." The vegan tax is in reference to the extra money those who live a vegan or plant-based lifestyle have to pay at restaurants and grocery stores to buy products that are in line with their diets.
It's important to note that the extra charge for alternative milks at Starbucks not only affects vegans, but also those who are lactose intolerant. According to the United States National Library of Medicine, around 65 percent of the population faces some level of lactose intolerance.
The difference in pricing has also led many vegans to stage sit-ins at Starbucks locations as a way to condemn the vegan tax. Such protests have already taken place in in Virginia, California, Oregon, and New York.
In December 2019, PETA bought stock in Starbucks in an attempt to urge the chain to stop charging extra for non-dairy milk preferences. In a press release about this decision, PETA said "Sometimes, the best way to influence a company is from within."
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