Most UK Coffee Shops Open To Making Plant-Based Milk The Default

A new survey found that the majority of UK coffee shops are open to making plant-based milk the default option, provided they receive support. This means that when customers do not specify their preferred milk, cafes would serve them a milk alternative rather than dairy. The survey by Animal Justice Project revealed that 57 percent of cafes would be open to a trial with funding, free oat milk, and logistical support.

The lower wholesale price of oat milk, potential positive reactions from customers and the media, and the clear demand for milk alternatives were cited as reasons why cafes are open to trialing plant-based by default. Animal Justice Project has launched the "Udderly Kind" campaign to incentivize trials. Some cafes, like The Canteen in Bristol, have already started trialing oat as the default milk, showcasing that a wider shift is possible through small changes towards sustainability.