{"id":1580312,"date":"2024-03-29T13:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-03-29T13:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.greenqueen.com.hk\/?p=71694"},"modified":"2024-03-29T13:00:00","modified_gmt":"2024-03-29T13:00:00","slug":"simply-absurd-95-of-starbucks-shareholders-vote-against-petas-call-to-drop-non-dairy-surcharge","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/radiofree.asia\/2024\/03\/29\/simply-absurd-95-of-starbucks-shareholders-vote-against-petas-call-to-drop-non-dairy-surcharge\/","title":{"rendered":"\u2018Simply Absurd\u2019: 95% of Starbucks Shareholders Vote Against PETA\u2019s Call to Drop Non-Dairy Surcharge"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"starbucks<\/div><\/span> 8<\/span> Mins Read<\/span><\/span>\n

During Starbucks’ annual shareholder meeting this month, 94.7% voted against PETA’s proposal to drop the extra charge for plant-based milk in the US, with the board of directors stating that prices are dictated by country-specific market conditions.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

“Charge more for dairy and less for vegan milk.” This was the message laid out by Jacqueline Sadashige, PETA’s manager of corporate responsibility, at Starbucks’ annual shareholder meeting on March 13.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you’re vegan or lactose-intolerant, you shell out up to 90 cents more for non-dairy milk at what is now the world’s second-largest restaurant chain \u2013 at least in its home market. In countries like the UK, China, Argentina, France, Belgium and the Netherlands, this isn’t the case. People opting for plant-based milk don’t have to pay extra for their choice in these regions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But in the US, where Starbucks introduced soy milk before the turn of the century \u2013 and has since added almond, coconut and oat milk to its offering \u2013 the company argues that market conditions don’t allow it to offer non-dairy milks free of charge. And this was reflected in its vote on PETA’s proposal \u2013 which was representing Sandy Labowitz, who holds at least $25,000 worth of Starbucks stock \u2013 with just 5.3% of shareholders agreeing to the call.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Customers and activists have been campaigning<\/a> for the end of the non-dairy surcharge for several years \u2013 it isn’t the first time PETA has presented this proposal to Starbucks’ shareholders. But the animal rights charity says it will continue to protest. “PETA\u00a0is using geofencing technology to push the spot into the web browsers of Starbucks executives at the company\u2019s headquarters and customers at its Reserve Roastery in Seattle,” Sadashige tells Green Queen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Earlier this month, Starbucks was hit with a disability discrimination lawsuit<\/a> for the surcharge (much like Dunkin’<\/a>). But for now, the coffee chain will continue to upcharge customers for plant-based milk options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why PETA is asking Starbucks to ditch the non-dairy surcharge<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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