Dunkin’ Will No Longer Charge for Non-Dairy Milks
Soy, oat, almond and coconut milk lovers, rejoice!
Gary Hershorn/Getty Images
Remember how exciting it was when Starbucks announced, in October, that it was abandoning its practice of charging extra for ordering your drink with non-dairy milk? For those who require or prefer their beverages with dairy alternatives such as soy, oat, almond or coconut milk, it was big news. Now another giant chain is following suit: Dunkin’ is dropping plant-based milk charges at all of its locations.
Starting March 5, ordering your drink with non-dairy milks at Dunkin’ will cost no more than it would to order it with dairy milk. The move may be not only a play to keep pace with its coffee-selling competition, but also in response to customer feedback and at least one major class-action lawsuit accusing Dunkin’ of discriminating against lactose-intolerant and milk-allergic consumers by charging them extra for non-dairy milk substitutions.
“This will allow guests visiting any Dunkin’ location to enjoy traditional dairy or alternative dairy options in any beverage without an additional charge,” a Dunkin’ spokesperson told USA Today.
Dunkin’ and Starbucks are clearly part of a growing cohort of coffee purveyors opting not to charge for alternative milks: Tim Hortons, Scooter’s, Pret, Dutch Bros, Gregory’s, Blue Bottle, Panera, Stumptown and Wake Up Call, among others, have also dropped “the non-dairy tax,” according to a No Milk Tax campaign by the Center for Responsible Food Business.
“The non-dairy milk surcharge is outdated and unfair. It punishes customers for having an ethical or sustainable preference and for their allergies or lactose intolerance,” that campaign says on its website.
Charging extra for non-dairy milk is about both sustainability and equity, according to No Milk Tax campaign. “Nearly 50 million Americans — disproportionately people of color — are lactose intolerant. Millions more live with milk allergies,” the organization says in a petition letter. “Charging extra for an option they need is not just unfair — it’s discriminatory.”
Dunkin’ fans are celebrating the news of the upcharge abandonment on social media.
“Awesome. Finally!” wrote one Redditor.
“Actually huge,” another weighed in.
Try This Recipe
Homemade Oat Milk
Oat milk is both inexpensive and incredibly easy to make it home, and its foaming properties and pleasing taste make it a satisfying non-dairy alternative to your morning coffee routine.
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