I totally called it: Starbucks couldn’t sustain its organic milk program.
The company is dropping the milk from their stores next month, as I found out yesterday at my local Starbucks. When I asked the barista why, he said it’s because not enough people ordered it. And I’m sure they didn’t, because it’s so damn hard to find organic milk at a Starbucks that most people probably just gave up. And if it could be found, the employees behind the counter made such a big stink about it that a customer would feel ashamed, and who wants that every time they order a latte?
Also, I’ve never seen a sign alerting customers to the presence of organic milk in a Starbucks store. You’d think that if the company was going to carry the milk, they’d at least put a little sentence about it on their standard-issue black chalkboard. I realize that the decision to carry the milk in the first place was likely due to media pressure to have healthier offerings. But seriously, just put up a sign, place an ad, something. What was the thinking there? Let’s see, I have this great idea for our business: let’s carry a new product, refuse to tell anybody about it, make sure it’s NEVER stocked in most of our stores. It’s a guaranteed hit!
It’s like Starbucks never really wanted people to order the milk. That’s probably because it was coming from Europe. Really. I’ve tried that milk, I’ve ordered organic milk several times at various Starbucks locations across the US, and I can tell you that it was disgusting. The organic milk that Starbucks has been (sometimes) providing to its customers is NOT GOOD. In fact, one time Ted ordered a drink with organic milk, and it had actually soured. The woman who made his drink must have smelled something amiss as she steamed the pot of milk; she probably couldn’t tell it was rancid because their organic milk already smelled like ass.
Look, I’m a little worked up about this, I know. But if you’d read Howard Schultz’ book, Pour Your Heart Into It, then you’d know how the company felt at its inception about offering choices to customers. Let’s just say that they were big on the choice thing. So now that they’re pulling organic milk from their stores, and I feel like I no longer have a choice, I call shenanigans. Which is the nice word for what I’m really thinking.
It’s not enough that you declared 2% milk your standard milk, was it? (You’ll be hearing more about this from me later.) Now you go and take away my organic milk, disgusting though it may have been. I don’t hate Starbucks; they provide a certain familiarity while you’re on the road, and occasionally one of their drinks manages to not be awful. I was pulling for you, Starbucks, but now what am I supposed to do?
According to the barista who broke this news to me, I can still order their soy milk, which is organic. Woo effing hoo. Soy milk is NOT MILK. And I have Lewis Black to thank for pointing out exactly why it should be called “soy juice.” (You can watch the video over here. It’s hilarious, but be warned, it’s heavy on the swearing and it’s pretty crude; totally NSFW.) Why do people think soy milk is milk? If I ask for milk, I want milk, not the translucent juice that’s been squeezed from a genetically modified and heavily fertilized bean and marketed as a health product to Americans in order to ease the glut of soybeans on the US market, which it turn keeps the costs of soy (and let’s not forget about corn) low so food processors can buy cheap product so they can sell us cheap, crappy food. This is why I don’t drink soy, besides the fact that it tastes like I’m licking a driveway. Soy makes me sad.
Goodbye, Starbucks organic milk. You sucked, but at least you offered hope.
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Ted 01.12.08 at 2:30 am
This is probably the best post ever written on the internets - and I’m not just saying that because you are my wife. Seriously, I re-read it three times and laughed harder each time.
Starnuck’s should have books written about it and how it was able to take one of the most successful business ventures in the world, with the ability to make enormous amounts of change for the better, and totally screw it up. Seriously. They make our federal government look good - something I didn’t think I would ever have the opportunity to say or even think.
I hate starbucks for doing this. They could have done so many things for sustainability - imagine the impact if they just one day said, we will only use organic milk from now on. It would instantly change the world.
Now they are left to stay reduced to a garbage commodity - I hope McDonalds beats them at their own game. Maybe they could just merge now that they are the same thing:
http://www.voanews.com/specialenglish/2008-01-10-voa2.cfm
Christine 01.13.08 at 5:46 am
Oh GROSS. I would rather eat an egg salad sandwich from a gas station than drink a “specialty coffee drink” from McDonald’s. I wonder exactly what the definition of “specialty” will be to them? This post made me laugh hard too! I’m sick of the weird stares I got from everyone else in line (and the baristas) when I asked for an organic milk latte, and it was never even an option at the Starbucks at any airport. But you’re right - at least there was hope. This is really depressing news.
Jenni 01.13.08 at 9:17 pm
Johnny will be sooo depressed. He is hooked on organic cappuccinos, though he did have a hard time finding organic milk at Starbucks….
Proud 01.15.08 at 11:49 pm
so i just want to add one thing as a partner, BUT NOT A SPOKESPERSON, for Starbucks. we carry organic milk, i think, because most milk produced in America contains hormones, that people are worried about. however, Starbucks was finally able to get nationwide distribution of hormone free milk, therefore we no longer have this problem. as far as the problem of not “ever” having the organic milk, did you talk to the store manager about it? Starbucks partners are just like everyone else, we make mistakes. you should maybe consider this when you go to blast people without considering the fact that they are human as well.
Proud 01.15.08 at 11:52 pm
by the way “Ted” you should look up Starbucks’ Corporate Social Responsibility report and compare it to that of McDonalds’. if you cannot realize that Starbucks is trying to do things better than its competetors than you are ridiculous.
Carrie 01.16.08 at 6:36 am
Figures, just got one on the corner, and its the only thing around here open past 6pm. I always ordered organic milk wherever and whenever I visited Starbucks. I thought they would continue in the direction, but should’ve known, its true, there never was a sign. If I didn’t hear it from a friend, I would have never known they had it. Too bad they didn’t continue that and the fair trade coffees if only to be part of the “greenwashing” bandwagon that many corps are jumping on.
Liz 01.16.08 at 9:10 am
I’m sorry to hear your dissapointment. You all need to find a better Starbucks location. I am a barista and we always, always, had organic milk. And none of us would ever have given anyone a funny look for ordering an organic latte or cappuccino. On behalf of the considerate baristas…i’m sorry!
Richard 01.16.08 at 10:04 am
You are right on so many fronts about SBUX organic milk. I’m really disappointed that their going away from this product. The milk that they were using wasn’t the greatest but I live in Washington state where we have some really great organic milk sold. I’m not sure where Starbucks got their stuff.
The dates on organic milk far exceed the spoilage dates on those of regular types here. I can get a half gallon right now that will extend a month and a half in organic vs a couple weeks in regular.
I did get exhausted with the attitude that was served up to me everytime I ordered organic milk. I was hoping at some point that would change but like you I was offered soy and didn’t want it….the stigma you get for wanting your drink a certain way is ridiculous.
Anyway, I’ll keep my money with them for now since they’ve dropped so far and when Schultz brings it back up to the annual top I’m pulling ALL my shares out. I only invest in things I believe in.
The next thing you know they’ll be dropping their fair trade coffee rules and buying from plantations that slave 6 year olds just to make a profit.
R
Jeremy 06.21.08 at 5:56 pm
I call “BS” about this inital post
A quick note on Organic milk - Most Corporate Starbucks stores offered Organic milk, excluding all liscenced stores, Barnes & Nobles, Airports, Targets, safeways, etc… They are allowed to carry the types of mill thier customers drink.
I have worked for the corporation twice and i have been back for 2 years now. in the last two years I have watched at my store only about 3 to 4 transactions per day out of hundreds be organic orders, Organic has been advertised excessively at my store. ( advertisements campaigns like last fall the “we will customize your beverage any way ) this campaign had organic on the order board under milk choices along with nonfat and breve and soy. Organic milk has been on the order boards under milk choices since the inception of organic milk at starbucks over 6 years ago. My apologies for those who don’t read menu boards and blindly order as they filter through a line in the morning.
We continually check our dates for quality issues. Expired milk is marked out and discarded as with any product. As for the type of milk being imported from europe. All milk outside of this country that is not fresh from the cow is ultra pasteurized = nasty tasting in my opinion, and sits on the grocery store shelf (warm). It has very long hold times and Starbucks used this milk as it does soy milk in the box for the long hold dates as most of america does not order “organic” and soy allowing the company to maintain the milk option for its customers. I realise this milk did not taste good and starbucks never claimed to go completely organic. they went “hormone free” with organic options. (soy and cow)
So in close I am sorry again about the one on here who got spoiled milk “ewww gross” Bad starbucks partners!!!!!!!! But as for the milk in general if maybe the millions of milk drinkers out there would have ordered it as an option it would have stayed and evolved as an option at the stores nation wide.
As for the paper cup option complaint! maybe you should bring your own cup like I have always done or order it for there to drink in a porcelin cup.
As for Fair Trade and social responsibility Starbucks has re developed thier buying practices and are now paying even more than ever…. Fair Trade has been completely exploited…. go buy your fairtrade at Walmart they carry a full line now roasted by walmart… all different kinds. and if you know anything if they have it they did’nt pay shit for it…. A mass whitewashing campaign is at work with this “Fair Trade” concept.
As for the current social programs we sponsor -
We’re proud to support the following organizations:
Conservation International
Protecting life on earth and demonstrating that human societies will thrive when in balance with nature.
Earthwatch
Engaging people and farmers in sustainable coffee research.
African Wildlife Foundation
Promoting coffee quality, environmental sustainability and natural resources conservation in east Africa.
Save the Children
Addressing the educational needs of indigenous Mayan peoples dependent on coffee production.
Mercy Corps
Improving children’s health in coffee- and tea-producing regions.
Our buying practices are leading towards making all the farms we buy from Organic and growing the highest quality lowest foot print beans we can.
I Love misinformation. Maybe you should talk with our social responsibility reps to get the real story on
“fair Trade” etc…. They are pretty damn forthcoming.
Thanks for your time….
Kerry 06.25.08 at 8:35 pm
Jeremy, if you’d read all of the posts I’ve written about Starbucks, you’d have known that several times (and in several cities) I’ve entered a Starbucks restaurant asking for organic milk, and very rarely was it stocked in the store.
I’m glad that your personal experience with Starbucks and their (now discontinued) organic milk has been so great, but this is my blog, and I’m writing from my own personal experience. The next time you want to “call BS” on someone else’s blog by writing a lengthy and boring diatribe, you might want to stop and consider starting your own blog. Comments are welcome here on The Scoop, but essays are not.