Paying extra for milk alternatives: unfair, illogical – and a little bit racist?

Why charging customers more for non-dairy milk in coffee at Starbucks and other cafes is more of a problem than you might think

If you are vegan, lactose intolerant, or simply don't consume dairy, chances are your coffee run comes with an additional fee. Starbucks charges its US customers roughly 70 extra for oat, soy, almond, and coconut milk, and such additional costs are common at other cafes across the country.

But not every coffee shop does the same. And the reasons they cite are not only customer taste preferences - they say that dairy milk is far worse for the climate, and that because rates of lactose intolerance are higher among people of color, the alternative milk surcharge also perpetuates unfairness. There are calls for more coffee shops, and Starbucks, to follow suit.