For related articles and more information, please visit OCA’s Factory Farm page and our Millions Against Monsanto page.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 7, 2014

CONTACT: Katherine Paul katherine@organicconsumers.org
207.653.3090, Organic Consumers Association

FINLAND, Minn. –  The Organic Consumers Association (OCA) has joined other concerned groups in asking consumers to call Starbucks today, Monday, July 7, at (800)-782-7282 and ask CEO Howard Schultz to convert the company’s milk purchases to certified organic milk.

“Starbucks is perpetuating the unsustainable model of industrial and GMO agriculture,” said Ronnie Cummins, OCA’s national director. “A huge percentage of GMO crops are used to feed livestock, including dairy cows. By switching to organic milk, Starbucks could set the industry standard while at the same time contributing to the growth of a more sustainable, and more humane, dairy industry model.”

Starbucks is the largest coffee chain in the world, with 20,100 stores, and annual sales of $14.9 billion. Starbucks uses more than 93 million gallons (2011 figures) annually of non-organic milk from factory farms.

That makes it one of the biggest supporters of Big Dairy factory farms. And, there’s a lot wrong with the Big Dairy factory farm model. Animals are abused. Food safety is compromised. And diary CAFOs (Confined Animal Feeding Operations) support Monsanto’s toxic, unsustainable GMO corn, soy and alfalfa.
 
The OCA has been pressuring Starbucks for 12 years to change its policies and practices around organics and fair trade. Yet apart from one victory—in 2007, when in response to consumer pressure Starbucks agreed to stop using milk containing Monsanto’s Bovine Growth Hormone—Starbucks has ignored consumers’ demands.

A switch to certified organic milk would have a huge impact on the organic milk industry. That’s why OCA has called on its million-plus network to ask CEO Howard Schultz to switch to organic milk.

The Organic Consumers Association (OCA) is an online and grassroots non-profit 501(c)3 public interest organization campaigning for health, justice, and sustainability. The Organic Consumers Fund is a 501(c)4 allied organization of the Organic Consumers Association, focused on grassroots lobbying and legislative action.