More people than ever are choosing plant-based milk for the taste, and because it is better for animals, the planet, and their health. Yet most coffee shops still charge 50¢ to $1 extra, sending the message that sustainable and compassionate choices are a luxury rather than the norm.
Meanwhile, dairy production is one of the most damaging parts of our food system. It drives deforestation, water pollution, methane emissions, and animal cruelty. Making plant-based milk affordable—or at least price-neutral—would remove unfair barriers and encourage more people to choose options that are healthier, more sustainable, and kinder to animals.
You don’t need to be a professional campaigner to make a difference at coffee shops in your own community. Whether you’re chatting with your favorite café, organizing friends to take action together, or speaking out online, this toolkit provides the tools, templates, and ideas you need to make your voice heard.
Together, we can encourage local coffee shops to:
Let’s make the simple, kind choice the easy one—for everyone.
The non-dairy milk surcharge hits hardest in BIPOC communities, where up to 75–90% of people are lactose intolerant. For many, dairy-free is not just a preference, it is a necessity. Adding an extra cost makes it harder for people already facing systemic and economic barriers and discourages consumers from making choices that reflect their values.
Talking Tips for Customers
Example Script:
“Hi! I really love coming here, but I noticed there’s an extra charge for plant-based milk. The extra charge for plant-based milk makes it harder to choose the more sustainable option. Have you considered removing the surcharge?”
Tip: The squeaky wheel gets the grease. Raise this question every time you’re in the store and ask others you know to do the same!
Google / Yelp / Website Reviews
Leave a review mentioning the surcharge and encouraging them to reconsider.
Example Review:
“Fantastic coffee and atmosphere! I’d love to see [Coffee Shop Name] lead the way by removing the extra charge for oat/almond milk—making the sustainable option more accessible for all.”
Social Media Comments
Comment on the coffee shop’s Instagram or Facebook posts respectfully, raising the issue.
Write a post on Threads or X or Blue Sky tagging the coffee shop and asking for them to drop the surcharge.
Example Post:
@[CoffeeShopHandle] — Why are customers being penalized for choosing a more humane, sustainable option? Drop the plant-based milk surcharge. It’s time. #StopTheSurcharge
Feel free to use the social media graphics provided at the end of this toolkit to amplify your message!
Tip: Tag us when you do it! @WorldAnimalProtectionUS #StopTheSurcharge for visibility.
Pre-Written Email Template
Subject: Request to Remove Plant-Based Milk Surcharge
Dear [Coffee Shop Name] Team,
I’m a loyal customer and love supporting your café. I am disappointed there is still a surcharge for plant-based milk, and I wanted to encourage you to reconsider.
More and more coffee shops are to equal pricing, recognizing that plant-based milks are more humane and sustainable, and meet growing customer demand. I’d love to see [Coffee Shop Name] be a leader in this positive change.
Thank you for considering it!
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Not sure where to find the email?
Check the coffee shop’s website—there’s usually a “Contact Us” page, or the email might be listed in the footer. You can also look at their Instagram Bio or Google Business Listing. If you still can’t find it, try sending a direct message on social media asking for the best contact email for customer feedback.
How to Do It
Bonus: Snap a photo of the posted flyer and tag the café (and our campaign account) to amplify the message online!
In addition to online efforts, offline, local actions can help shift momentum and pressure individual cafés or chains to drop the plant-based milk surcharge. Here are a few grassroots tactics you can try:
Want support with materials or costs? Join the "Change Your Community" channel within Plant-Powered Changemakers to connect with others taking action locally and let us know how we can help you make a difference in your community.
Flyers and Social Media Graphics
Download printable flyers to post in your local café and access ready-to-share social media posts and stories to amplify the message online.
Fact Sheet: Grounds for Change
Info sheet you can share with cafés to show how others have successfully made the change without losing profits
Follow-Up Tracker
Use this simple checklist to track where you’ve taken action (spoke in person, posted a flyer, left a review, etc.) to stay organized and see your impact grow!
FAQ Sheet
Quick answers to common questions a manager might ask (like cost differences or sourcing info).
Every conversation, comment, email, and flyer help make it easier for people to choose options that are better for animals, the planet, and our communities. Your actions—big or small—are a powerful force for change. Together, we can shift the culture toward a more compassionate future.