The Wall Street Journal is reporting that Starbucks is dropping organic milk from its menu. Starbucks said they originally added it to their menu for customers who did not want milk from cows that had been given recombinant bovine growth hormone. Organic milk will no longer be available starting February 26th.
Earlier this month, Starbucks completed the switch to serving milk only from cows that weren't given the artificial growth hormone, which helps cows produce more milk.
For its turnaround effort, Starbucks has said it plans to reduce the number of offerings at its stores while adding more-exciting products. The company said this change is unrelated to the turnaround plan. Organic milk is scheduled to come off the menu Feb. 26. Starbucks has charged extra for drinks made with it.
Drinks with organic milk account for less than 1% of Starbucks' beverage sales, said Michelle Gass, the company's senior vice president of global strategy. "Far and away, the No. 1 reason people are purchasing organic milk is because [it lacks] the growth hormone," she said.
Starbucks decision to cut organic milk comes at time when sales of organic dairy products are on the rise.
In 2006, sales of organic dairy products in the U.S. grew 25% to $2.67 billion, making it the second fastest-growing organic food category behind meat, according to the Organic Trade Association. Some quick-service restaurants, including Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc., have been adding organic ingredients to their menus.
It's dissapointing that Starbucks is dropping organic milk. If you want cow's milk in your Starbucks coffee it is going to be the kind from cows that have been given growth hormone. Starbucks does offer a soy milk option and hopefully that will stay on the menu.
The Wall Street Journal is 
