Starbucks Coffee

Katie,

I'm a two year partner in Utah, store manager of a medium volume store that's about to be one year old!  I've undergone some major life changes since my store has opened, the biggest of which has caught the eye of my partners and customers.  I've lost 66 pounds since January.  While this is a huge accomplishment and something I'm very proud of, when my partners and customers ask what I've done, I'm hesitant to tell the truth: other than becoming more active and working with a personal trainer twice a week, I've essentially removed Starbucks from my diet.  I drink brewed coffee or americanos at work (quad shorts, however) and stay away from our delicious lattes, mochas, and other high calorie drinks.  And the pastry case is practically forbidden.

As a person who is cutting out most sugar from my diet partially in an attempt to avoid my family's affinity for diabetes, one pastry from our case offers more sugar grams than I'd normally consume in 5-7 days.  I would *love* to see new pastry offerings with sugar-free options.  Think carb-conscious.  It would be nice to direct customers to something that helps support the healthy lifestyle I've grown into this year.

Thanks for listening,

Jess

I think there is enough for the vegans!

Just improve the quality and nutrision value of the pastries.

This is very good news. Please also use organic hormone-free milk from dairies that support humane living conditions of the animals.

By supporting organic ranchers, farmers, growers and the environment you are making commitment to sustainable agriculture. Given the impact that Starbucks could have in the marketplace you alone could expand the market for organic products while at the same time increase consumer awareness.

Be innovative and make a difference (while being profitable)

Hi Katie,

I used to be a pretty regular customer at Starbucks, drinking soy lattes and having an occasional pastry- and buying the coffee. Then I was diagnosed with Celiac disease. No more pastries :-)  Then further diagnosed with soy and dairy intolerance. Hey, no more lattes- Starbucks only carries soy or cow's milk. Then the final blow.. recurring gastritis- because of the single cup of black Starbucks I drank daily- just too acidic.  

So..I've switched to a reduced-acid coffee available online, made by Gentle Java.

I still go into Starbucks occasionally, but the only thing I could order is a black tea (why? much cheaper to drink Tazo at home).

It seems Starbucks is now carrying options for vegans. That's nice, but it's a chosen lifestyle- Celiac isn't. Have you ever considered carrying just ONE gluten free item- and possibly low acid coffee? I know a lot of people who have trouble with coffee who say they stay away from Starbucks coffee- and describe it as "harsh."

Thanks for reading my comments.. J

Please,  more sugar free or reduced sugar options

for cold drinks and pastries.

I agree, replace the sugar laden pastries with other healthier options such as croissants or veggie/meat filled pastries.

Hi Katie,

I used to drink a Starbucks latte everday.  However as millions of people have developed a dairy intolerance, I have too!   Have you considered lactose free milk?  It could even replace skinny milk.

Thanks in advance for your consideration.

Katie,

The Oatmeal is a great addition! Could you please make it gluten-free?

Can I just point out that it seems patrons who drink soy milk don't know how to continue to comment on just one thread?  There are dozens of comments calling for more options in soy milk to match those of regular milk--from adding plain soy to adding fat free soy.  I think it warrants a looking at while you consider you expansion of vegan options, even if soy milk drinkers can't get their act together about requesting more options.

In skimming through quite a few posts I have seen more and more people asking for other alternatives other than Soy. Most people who can't drink milk also can't drink soy as the chemical makeup is very similar. Plus the soy you have is always vanilla soy which makes the flavored drinks way too sweet. Please look into the posts suggesting Almond or Rice milk alternatives. Plus the gluten free community is getting left out on a lot at Starbucks!

I have a gelato distribution company in Phoenix, AZ and think you should definitely consider adding gelato and sorbetto to some, if not most, of your stores.  I truly think it would be a huge hit for the afternoon and evening crowds.  I especially can see a gelato case in your bookstore locations.  This would be awesome and a very profitable addition!  Get on my website: www.nicksgelato.com for more information.

Please consider adding plain almond milk or an unsweetened soy milk. People who do not consume dairy do not always wish to consume tons of sugar!

BTW, this is great. Thank you for the added vegan options. The almond butter is fantastic.

Hi Katie,

I'm glad that there is someone out there listening to the customers. As a Type II Diabetic I can only have sugar-free syrups and treats. It would be great if Starbucks either expanded its offering of sugar-free drinks or at least offered a sugar-free version of each of its drinks such as a sugar-free gingersnap latte, sugar-free frappucinos, etc.

I'd also love to see the return of your sugar-free/no sugar added pastries. They were delicious and much appreciated.

Thanks for listening, we appreciate it!

Katie,

Your July comments about customers  requests for nutritious options that would also be gluten-free and vegan-friendly have emboldened me to ask for your assistance in how to approach  Starbucks about considering adding  vegan chilis that are gluten free, low fat & high in fiber.  I am the owner of Manhattan Chili Co., a restaurant specializing in chili for 21 years (in Manhattan!), now an all natural chili bar in Grand Central Terminal and a chili manufacturer, making 8 varieties (all gluten free), 3 of which are vegan.   Would Starbucks customers buy chili in a Starbucks?  May I send you our nutritional summary sheet? samples?

Bruce Sterman

Manhattan Chili Co.

I love me some starbucks! But as somebody who eats mostly raw vegan and shys away from soy products, it's become my treat...which can be tough considering I work there! I'd like to add a voice to the comment about rice or almond milk--either would be a great addition to the line up. Hemp milk is also a great alternative plant milk.

My other idea is to make agave packets available for people at the condiment counter. It has a lower glycemic index then sugar or honey, which is good for diabetics and the nutritionally concerned as well. Plus, unlike honey, it's not an animal by-product and integrates better into cold drinks (has a thinner viscosity). I think it would be less expensive as well. It's cheaper than honey when I buy it in the store at least...

little girl BIG VOICE

www.littlegirlbigvoice.com

Hi Katie,

Can you please confirm the source of the L-Cysteine in the multigrain roll?  The cheapest and majority of sources of this comes from human and animal hair and I just want to make sure this is not coming from animal sources before it's confirmed as vegan.

Thanks!

Justin

Hi Katie!

I agree with Selkie up there - the vegan lifestyle is a choice, the gluten-free lifestyle is not. I'm sorry if vegans get grossed out by animal products, but gluten will literally kill me slowly, and even a little gluten will leave me ill and out of work for three days. Maybe there are just more vegans (though with 1 on 133 people in America with celiac disease I would be surprised!) or maybe they are just more vocal (and sometimes very rude!). I wish that you had just **one!** gluten-free pastry option. I love going to Starbucks and buy a drink almost every day. The only snack I can get is a little baggy of roasted almonds (not exactly an indulgence), and it's really expensive when I can go right across the street and get it for less at Trader Joe's. Often I can't even get your salads, fruit plates, or fruit cups because they are contaminated with crutons, crackers, or granola toppings.  

I guess I am just disappointed that there are SO MANY vegan options, and not even ONE gluten-free option, when veganism is a choice, and celiac disease is not.

Hi,

I am glad you are considering options for different food needs. Have you heard of Enjoy Life Natural Brands?   Their product line is gluten free and free of the  top 8 allergens, VEGAN and kosher. They have an awesome trail mix, snack bars, granola, cookies and more!!!  My family of 5 all have celiac and we go to Starbucks about two times a day.  It would be so great to have some allergen free products for them to eat.  Contact Patricia Marko at 940-595-5900.  Thanks!!  Jane

thank you, thank you, thank you  ... am so glad the vegan options may be getting wider. Would be great if these options were available in all the Starbucks locations as my local Starbucks doesn't seem to carry any vegan options (aside from the plain bagel).

Reading this I thought "Damn we don't have any of these things...Oh hey a bagel!" But then "Oh, but what would you put on it?" So thanks for trying I guess.

Hi Katie.  You and your team clearly work hard to bring an amazing selection of great, nutritious food to Starbucks.  Thanks! I have a great company you should check out. It's called Little Pots and Pans (www.littlepotsandpans.com) and they produce amazing savory vegan and vegetarian tarts.  They started at the Portland Farmers Market and use local, fresh ingredients.  I know they do wholesale as you can find them at some great local coffee shops. Please check them out. Fantastic!!!

you may want to look at glutenfreeda foods they have a gluten free burrito that is also vegan!!!

I realize this post is from a year ago, but I read about it at this partner idea: c.na3.visual.force.com/.../partnerIdeaView.

Maybe the ingredients have changed now, since this was post, with our new pastries and everything. The blueberry oat bar is definitely not vegan. It contains butter. Aside from that, I have never seen any of those other pastries or items listed in a Starbucks store, anywhere.

Its wonderful you are thinking of the customer.....but I don't think your are REALLY listening...Vegan is great! I support it.....but I have Celiac Disease as well as four other members in my family! We cant go to starbucks and order a pastry because we cant eat gluten! I think you are switching things around to quickly and not giving your gluten free items enough time....please dont take away a gluten free item that was so wonderful! BRING IT BACK GLUTEN FREE!!!

Try this -- prepare ANY of your current drinks (like a Vanilla Latte) with Soy.  Next prepare it the same, but substitute Almond Breeze Unsweetened (I can buy it in my health food section of grocery store).  Now taste both.  I have Hyperinsulinism Hypoglycemia, which means I have too much insulin when I have sugar or carbs.  For a LONG time, I stayed away from Starbucks, but I have recently come back and I get a sugar-free drink with Soy.  I still can't get Chai Latte's which I loved, as they have sugar in the pre-mix.  I HATE the taste of Soy and must add splenda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and choke it down.  So try the Almond and see if you notice a taste difference?

If I don't discount the issues of the gluten intolerant, et al, it's only because I left that kind of arrogance and selfishness behind when I became a vegan. As a vegan who visits Starbucks daily, I'm going to tell you that there are NOT "enough for the vegans" in terms of choice of food items. Regional? Where? I live in Los Angeles, one block from one of the Topanga Canyon stores. Does the staff know the vegan options from the others? Further, some of your other contributors here may dismiss my concerns by stating "the vegan lifestyle is a choice" but so is my religion, and I'm not going to change that either because I take one as seriously as the other. . Thank you, for attempting to change your menu, because I’m not changing my beliefs.  

Please consider adding unsweetened almond milk to your "milk" alternatives.  It would offer one more vegan option (that is not sweet like the vanilla soy).  In addition it is alkaline, not acidic like dairy and soy products, so it is easier for many people to tolerate.  

Having so many vegan options is fantastic and much appreciated! But have you thought about labelling these options as such in stores?  No vegan would think that scones or muffins are potentially vegan, unless they're labelled as vegan-friendly.  I've always avoided all Starbucks pastries for this very reason.  I think that having labels to point customers with more restrictive diets could provide a sales boost, without discouraging customers who already purchased the items.

Milk has never been an option for me, and most recently I've had to cut wheat and soy completely out of my life. I'm from Seattle and... what can I say? Our social lives revolve around coffee. I'm a student now and it's painful to head off to Starbucks to study with friends and I am unable to enjoy my beloved latte's with my study-buddies. Sometimes, I bring my own creamer and get just a regular brew, but I don't always have creamer on hand. I am praying and waiting for the day Starbucks offers Rice/Almond/or Hemp milk to the menu! Even until then, if Starbucks offered a non-dairy/non-soy milky creamer, that would be great. I know there's allot of people out there like me who are not able to tolerate milk or soy. (for personal, or like myself, medical reasons)

I didn't see this anywhere in previous posts, so if I am repeating something, I'm sorry.  i would love to see Starbucks add stevia packets at the condiment counter.  It is a zero calorie, all-natural sweetener that my doctor recommended for me because of my diabetes.  I use it at home, and would love to see it in my local Starbucks.

yes, please more options like almond and hemp milk, and why not a vegan AND gluten free scone or muffin or cookie?  what are the regions where the vegan items are available?