America's largest coffee chain has decided to jump-start its own eco-friendly food revolution: Earlier this week, Starbucks announced it would be rolling out a new food menu on June 30 as part of its "Real Food. Simply Delicious" campaign. And yesterday, the chain said it would install new water faucets in its stores as part of an environmental initiative.
The company is reworking 90 percent of its baked goods, and eliminating high-fructose corn syrup, artificial flavors, and food coloring from its products. Starbucks is also removing preservatives from items whenever possible, attempting to mimic the number of ingredients used in homemade baked goods. In addition, this Summer the coffee titan will test the viability of a Frappuccino formula that appeals to health-conscious consumers, and the chain will begin selling salads. Despite premium prices of natural ingredients, the company maintains these changes will not affect prices on its food menu.
Yesterday, Starbucks also revealed a plan to install new water faucets that meter out water across all US stores by September, a change that could save each café up to 150 gallons of water a day. It hopes to expand this green initiative internationally by Fall.
The coffee company continues to make frantic changes in hopes of reviving sales. I'm skeptical about whether these strategies will truly spark sales — since things like instant coffee, ciabatta-bread sandwiches, and value meals really haven't. Still, I'll admit I hope that health-conscious Frappuccino comes to market. What do you think of these changes?
Ash
i think that they really need to do whatever they can to try to get their edge back. i'm one of those people that doesn't mind paying a little more if i know that a company is being environmentally conscious and this could be just the way that starbucks makes people a bit more comfortable with the higher priced
1I think this is great news! I'm not sure if it will help sales, but it will definitely boost the reputation of Starbucks as a company. I love how Starbucks is always evolving.
2Lower your prices, Starbucks!! All this "green" and "healthy" mumbo-jumbo doesn't mean anything of consumers can't afford it.
3My Starbucks has been selling salads and organic foods for years (at least the past 2 i think)... I love picking up one of their bleu cheese/ walnut salads with my morning coffee if I dont have time to grab lunch.
I have been there at 5:30AM and they have fresh food delivered daily. I didn't think that was something new.
4-Starbucks, if you want to be green---implement recycling at your stores!!!!!!!!!!!! SO many plastic cups, so many cardboard containers
only then will i truly recognize your green efforts
5This is better, but i still hate the fact that they're using the being "green" as a marketing device... it should be an obvious thing to do, not a device for making themselves seem so more moral.
6Looks promising. I'm constantly on the look out for places that have a variety of healthy options (and there aren't many). It would definitely help hook me in. I personally think this is a better way to go than what they have been doing with the instant coffee and such. I really think that's just cheapening the brand; what a lot of people like about Starbucks is the quality.
7The salads and some of the other menu options were a good move for Starbucks. Announcing the removal of high fructose corn syrup is, however, misleading to their customers.
8As a registered dietitian, I realize that sugar and HCFS are virtually the same: same amount of calories per gram (4), and virtually the same composition of glucose and fructose -- but most consumers don't realize that. In June, 2008, the American Medical Association helped put to rest misunderstandings about this sweetener and obesity. They stated that “high fructose syrup does not appear to contribute to obesity more than other caloric sweeteners."
Smaller portions, reduced calories, and physical activity are what contribute to better health and lower weight for everyone.
Pat Baird, MA, RD, Greenwich, CT
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