Food

Starbucks was one of the first national coffee chains to offer soy milk, and in the past year, the company has also added coconut milk to its menu as well as announced the expansion of its Animal Welfare-Friendly Practices. In light of these positive steps forward, Starbucks should continue its progress by taking the next step: offer vegan food options!      Right now, a growing number of consumers looking for dairy-free coffee beverages can turn to Starbucks for soy milk or coconut milk – but that’s where Starbuck’s menu falls short.  Plant-based food options are limited to oatmeal and a few pre-packaged fruit-based snacks. By expanding its food menu to include hearty meat-, egg-, and dairy-free options such as vegan muffins or a protein-packed breakfast sandwich, Starbucks would give existing customers more choices while also reaching out to a new customer-base. This simple change will allow so many more customers to add a breakfast item with their coffee, stay for lunch, enjoy a pastry, or grab some food to go. Recent market trend research shows that vegan eating is hitting the mainstream. A recent restaurant industry journal noted that “Millennials are increasingly interested in vegan cuisine, and more than 60 percent consume meat alternatives.” Consumer interest in plant-based food and drink has become so widespread that Starbucks acknowledges that its decision to add coconut milk was based on customer requests – it was one of the “most popular My Starbucks Ideas of all time!” Other national chains similar to Starbucks are already responding to the consumer interest in plant-based options. For example, in addition to dairy-free milk for coffee, Le Pain Quotidien’s menu features several hearty vegan options from breakfast through dessert, Au Bon Pain has a daily vegan soup, and Einstein Bros Bagels offers hummus or peanut butter toppings for bagels. It is clear that consumer demand is shifting towards healthier and more humane foods, and Starbucks has taken the first steps to respond. Now it’s time for the company to take the next step -- and take the lead -- by offering a substantial plant-based food options.  Starbucks has already shown that it listens to consumer requests, so please sign this petition to let the company know that you appreciate the dairy-free milk options, and you’re ready for a vegan food menu!

The latest global scientific reports show a stark future for us all, we have twelve years to change our energy systems or doom all our futures. Climate change will increase the amount of extreme droughts and heatwaves, changing agricultural patterns and harming communities. It will also threaten the things we love, like beer. Beer is the most popular alcoholic drink on the planet, but Americans love it the most. Barley and hops crops will be severely damaged by climate change. These crops are likely to see a 17% or more cut in production - increasing the cost of beer and limiting the supply. Right now, there’s a group of U.S. governors calling for climate action through the U.S. Climate Alliance. These governors represent 40% of Americans, and are already committed to addressing climate change. The thing is, these states all need to do even more than they’ve pledged to save the planet, and the beer we all love. Tell the U.S. Climate Alliance to take even more action to combat climate change, in line with recent reports. Demand the U.S. Climate Alliance commit to cutting emissions by 45%, while also relying on renewable energy for 85% of electricity generation. Extreme droughts and heatwaves will impact us all, but will decimate the ability to grow the grains we use to make the world’s favorite alcoholic beverage. Beer making regions around the world will all suffer if climate change becomes unhinged. Americans overwhelmingly support clean energy and action to address climate change. They also consume on average 6.3 billion gallons of beer each year. Tell the U.S. Climate Alliance to do even more to implement serious clean energy targets and reduce emissions. Nobody wants a world without beer.

It is time for University of Pittsburgh students to stand up to Sodexo and emancipate ourselves from its monopoly on campus dining options.  In October of 2018, an Allegheny County Health Department inspection of Pitt's Market Central yielded alarmingly negative results.  According to the Pitt News, the Sodexo-run dining hall violated 14 out of 25 Food Saftey Assessment categories. Pitt is a respected world-class university whose students deserve catering services that don't potentially put their health at risk.  It is not a radical idea that students paying for a multi-thousand dollar meal plan should not be forced to consume food that is undesirable and quite possibly unsafe. "Numerous school districts and other institutions — including eleven universities — have canceled some or all contracts with Sodexo, and many are happy with the change" according to the Huffington Post.  It is time for the University of Pittsburgh to do the same. Pitt parents, students, and faculty are encouraged to voice their opinion on this matter and demand that the University of Pittsburgh ameliorate its dining options by replacing Sodexo with a more reliable, professional contractor. Please share the Allegheny County Health Department report below to spread awareness and show Pitt parents and students what their money is paying for: http://appsrv.alleghenycounty.us/reports/rwservlet?food_rep_insp&P_ENCOUNTER=201810100028 Also, because our current employees are amicable and hard-working people, Pitt students hope they will be offered positions with Pitt's next food services provider.  While concerned students and parents want to see Sodexo replaced, we do not intend for any current employees to lose their jobs.  Sources Cited: 1. https://pittnews.com/article/136615/news/market-cited-for-14-health-violations/ 2. https://www.huffingtonpost.com/mary-bottari/post_5631_b_3982325.html

Sitting in the ambulance with my 9 month old son, in June of 2017, is an experience I hope to forget. He is allergic to eggs, wheat, gluten and barley. So what happened? He's not old enough to have a large variety of solids and we have a gluten free home. All he had was some Cheerios. We all know Cheerios. It's a super kid-friendly snack and prominently labeled, well advertised, as gluten free. Could it have been the Cheerios? No way.  Yes way. Through community research, anecdotal conversations with allergists and feedback from people with Celiac, it is clear Cheerios are a risk many are no longer willing to take. Mechanically sorted oats carry the risk of traces of wheat - enough to cause anaphylaxis.  Ask around and you will find people who have had reactions to Cheerios. Whether it is an allergy, Celiac disease or a sensitivity, people in the know are staying away from Cheerios. How is this allowed? General Mills needs to remove this labeling from their packaging or commit to a drastic change in their process. Ingredients should highlight "gluten free oats". If not, then the misleading of the public needs to stop. Celiac Disease Foundation, your name is on the box. I know GM sponsors you but is it worth it? FDA are you listening?  Sign now to make this change and keep people, most importantly kids, safe.