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Inferno Pix, freedigitalphoto.net
Hey Starbucks,
So here’s the deal: some vegans outright detest you. And then there are others like me, who spend an obscene amount of money each year on tall toffee-nut soy iced coffees. Deep down, I think vegans want to like you. We may denounce your ties to Kraft as your grocery store distributor, and we wish your fair trade practices were just a little stronger. But you know, I still can’t imagine walking into any other coffee shop and be received with the same warmth and excellent customer service. I’ve tried. And I know I’m not the only vegan out there enamored with the green lady logo… we just might not like admitting it. When a vegan’s friends ask them to meet them at Starbucks, I’m positive that they don’t want to feel a sense of guilt for walking through your doors.
On the subject of sticking local, as much as I want to support my local coffee shops, most every one I’ve visited (I can think of 5) has made me feel like an obligation instead of a customer. One example is Xtreme Bean in Tempe on McClintock and Southern: I came in for two weeks straight and they never once knew my name, they didn’t serve my drink consistently, nor did they seem to value me over the conversation they were having with the other barista on the newest Mirah album. Plus, their bathroom/key situation is entirely too frustrating.
So, Starbucks, as much as I wish I had a local haunt it looks like I’m drawn to your pull every time until some coffee shop fills that void. Your customer service is just too friendly and your coffee is too much to my liking to seek another place. Plus, I like having neutral territory for meetups with fellow students. I can also blend in with my business suit and heels instead of sticking out like a sore thumb over at Three Roots just across the street.
Here’s what I’m proposing: could you be a little more inviting for vegans? I stare at the pastry case longingly, but I haven’t a clue which products are vegan. Could you put a small ‘V’ on the sign? I had to do some research, and finally I found this list with items that may or may not be offered at any given time. For the most part, you leave me in the dark, Starbucks: your website, when entering ‘vegan’ into the search engine, produced 0 results. A small notation on the signs of each product in the stores would be so much better, and this wouldn't be too difficult an undertaking. Oh, and I used to love your trail mix until you put in those white chocolate chips in them. What’s up with that? The trail mix was great as is! Next, could you find some vegan blends for your chai tea mix as well as your mocha mix? Ghirardelli (non-vegan) chocolate is all fine and well for many customers, but the coffee possibilities for vegans are essentially limited to whatever can be made with soy and liquid syrups.
Thank you for providing Naked Juice, oatmeal and Jones Soda. If your fruit cups (something I could make for 25 cents) weren’t around $3, I would buy them. Given your product expansion for things like those meat-laden breakfast sandwiches, I was sure hoping for something with tofu, fresh veggies, or sandwiches that don’t include meat or cheese.
Indeed, those are just a few of the requests. My intent isn’t to complain, as the company ethos is impressive: your title as one of the world’s most ethical companies by Ethisphere magazine is one such example, as is your (Starbucks) Red campaign that helps Africa. No, I'm not drinking the corporate koolaid here, either. I don't see many othercoffee shops putting their dinero towards the same causes.
On the sustainability front, your efforts are noticed. I’m so pleased that Arizona State’s Starbucks offers a refill of one’s second daily drink for a mere 55 cents should the original cup be used with proof of receipt. Plus, I’m pleased that your iced coffee cups made of 15% less plastic.
I’ll certainly remain a customer, but please think of the vegans.
Sincerely,
Catherine Capozzi
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Comments
Excellent article. I might add that charging extra for soy milk is pretty tacky.
Oh Nancy, I know it... I don't get lattes or cappuccinos for that exact reason. If it's a regular coffee, however, tell them not to charge you since 'it's not an addition, it's a condiment.' This is a general policy unknown to many employees there, but it's true. Sadly, other places charge as much as .60 more for soy!
Love the article, Catherine. And I totally agree with on both Xtreme Bean and Three Roots. Starbucks may not be perfect, but at least you can get a drink of consistent quality and not feel out of place if you don't dress like you're about to break out into a game of hackey-sack.
I, too, love the article, Catherine. I usually get a soy cafe au lait and a plain bagel to gnaw on, shut my eyes, pray that it's vegan so that I won't immediately get a splitting headache, and hope for the best. Chicago Vegan Examiner
You're really misinformed about starbucks. The mocha mix IS vegan. It's just cocoa powder, sugar and water. If you put in a request, a lot of starbucks will start ordering vegan pastries. And if you live in a town that warrants such a purchase-- like where I'm from, Berkeley, CA -- a lot of the times they'll have vegan pastries. It's a business, first, not a vegan catering service. They're not going to offer pastries unless they know there's a demand. There's a variety of teas-- one of the only places that offers a green tea latte-- vegan. Their mocha mix is vegan. And although their frappacino bases have milk in them-- I have on occasion had them make a soy based blended beverage.
And this year they are working on greatly expanding their selection of organic fair trade coffees as demand has increased.
And as far as charging for soy goes-- if you are as regular of customer as you claim, you could easily get a starbucks card, register it, and get your soy milk for free. That's what I do.
Love it.
I also had a few words for Starbucks when they announced the new value meals yesterday.
Read my blog post Starbucks New Value Meals: Can I supersize and VEGANize it?
kblog.lunchboxbunch.com/2009/03/starbucks-value-meals-can-i-supersize.html
-Kathy
www.healthy-happy-life.com
Easy there, Tracy! I absolutely understand Starbucks is a business (and a good one at that), and it's through writing such letters that I hope Starbucks CAN recognize a demand for vegan items here in Phoenix. I don't know if you're familiar with our city, but it's a little... meat-heavy. We have no vegan pastries here, unfortunately, and if we do it's not exactly obvious that they are since there are no signs. I understand there are teas, but I mentioned specifically the coffee availability. Usually mocha powders contain casein, a dairy derivative, or milk powder. The chocolate syrup definitely has milk. Unfortunately, I scoured the website and found no ingredients list for the powder though I take your word for it. As mentioned, I wish Starbucks would have a little more transparency for those with dietary needs. I've always been happy with the Starbucks soy policy and haven't complained about that. In fact, I apologize if my letter was construed to be anything other than a Starbucks fan, which I am!
In any case, I'm quite jealous of the vegan availability of things in Berkeley. Such is not the case here in Phoenix. Thanks for the tip on the blended beverages made with soy; that's awesome!
Sorry if that came off as hostile. It was. But upon reflection, it was unnecessary. I worked at starbucks for a few months. If you ask any employee, the ingredients are labeled on the bag they mix. Just cocoa and sugar. Sorry Phoenix blows-- hope your letter works out. :)
Catherine,
It's through writing such letters as these that people hate vegans.
A simple "Please consider stocking vegan pastries and sandwiches at your stores. I would spend more money there." Would suffice.
Don't blame Starbucks for not selling Fair Trade when people don't buy it. If it's all people wanted it's all people would have. Instead, buy your fair trade there so they have to replace it with more.
Also, I'm fairly certain they will always brew you a cup of fair trade if you ask.
No worries, Tracy, my sister worked at Starbucks too and she loved her time there (it was before I went vegan, so sadly, I had no insider info!).
Andrew: unfortunately, many people do hate vegans. Perhaps not Starbucks, but those reading this column might. I actually think veganism in general is very misunderstood; vegans are sometimes labeled as judgmental and naive idealists. Similarly, many vegans are quick to judge Starbucks as a mega corporation that is causes environmental/cultural devastation (the documentary 'Black Gold' and Klein's book 'No Logo' are such pieces that reinforce this). So, I just try treading lightly in representing all perspectives of the debate and find the common ground. Key operative word being 'try.' I personally commend Starbucks for their fair trade efforts and tried to point out the good they've done, as well as explain (through links) why some vegans hate Starbucks. But completely I agree with you that fair trade coffee will only be sold if fair trade coffee is purchased. Companies only give customers what they're willing to buy.
Great Article. I especially appreciated your tone and fair approach. I am tired of hearing the same argument from vegans:"I choose to eat a particular diet, you(business owner) MUST provide me with choices to suit my every whim." And yes, I know there are some people who eat avegan diet for other reasons such as allergies. The point is, I think, places like Starbucks don't offer vegan items, because for all the chatter and supposed demand for them...no one purchases them. I used to work in a Starbucks many years ago when "low fat" items were in demand (yes, I know it is not the same, but consumer habits are). I was asked hundreds of times a day... "do you have lowfat muffins?", "oh.. you don't have low fat scones, well then nothing for me." Becuase of that we ordered dozens of lo fat items. I proudly offered our low-fat items to our customers who often demanded them. You know what there response was? Oh... it doesn't taste the same." Duh! it's low fat, like you asked for. Fat carries flavor in food, remove it and remove the flavor. My point is, many people want food that meets their specific dietary needs, but most want it to taste good too. My advice when you see a vegan item for sale in any store... BUY IT, Buy it, Buy it. When you think you have bought enough... tell your friends and buy some more. Companies like Starbucks make decisions about food offerings based on what sells not based on letters.
You are lucky in USA, I´m vegan and Spanish, I´m living in Spain and I like drinking coffee with soya and Spanish Vegans can only go to every Starbucks in order to find soya that´s all. I have two opcions white mocca and tea with soya and in connection with salats or sandwiches, Spanish Starbucks don´t have any vegan choice. I wrote a letter asking for vegan meal months ago, but I haven´t received any answer.
Catherine, I want you to know that I love your letters; and in the face of being criticized for expressing your opinion about various topics, I trust you're feeling strong. I used to ban Starbucks for the same reason that I don't go to Walmart, but I've changed my ways - I love that they have soy milk and vegan options (sometimes plain bagels!) and I think of your letter when I go in and the barristas welcome me with big smiles. It makes a difference to me, even though they're on every street corner.
~Caity
www.caitymccardell.com
Starbucks does charge extra to sub soy for cow’s milk. When I explain that I don’t use animal products for spiritual reasons, they give it to me gratis – the only shop not to do this is located at chandler fashion mall chain book store. I haven’t returned. If enough people do this perhaps they will offer the vegan alternative without charge will become corporate policy.
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