Tuesday, May 6, 2008

Vote about change...is it time for some organic?

Yes, your vote does count!

I was discussing in a post earlier this week Discovery Day and Organic Milk the idea of offering organic milk as an option, like we do with 'soy milk' or 'skim milk.' The only issue with it is that there would have to be a premium charge for it, in the range of .30 to .50 cents....perhaps a little less appealing than if it were included in the price of the drink.

I just have the sense that customers are ready for this...I mean, you see more and more organic options all the time at the grocery store, and even I tend to buy more organic items for home. Milk makes up at least 80% of many of our beverages, and has many more issues than just whether it's the simple version of organic. Milk has other hormones added for increased production, and so on.

So the question is simply, not whether we should go all organic, but should we offer it as a 'premium choice' for those that want it....take a vote and let me know!

If that's not all that you want to say about it, drop me a line in a comment below...I always appreciate it.

19 comments:

Anonymous said...

Bob---I think it would be a great idea to try to make your products more healthy. Stevia is a great alternative to Splenda. Lots of people get headaches from splenda. I would also love to see fresh fruit available. More people will be willing to pay for healthy alternatives when they know you care about the customer and you are willing to step up and provide these alternatives. Thanks

Anonymous said...

Bob- Yes, please give us an organic alternative! I'd also really LOVE to see an organic coffee choice. With regular coffee being treated with such a high amount of pesticides, I don't drink Bigby coffee as much as I would if I could have an organic version. Thanks!

Anonymous said...

Bob, The increased price should be optional, only for those who choose the more expensive ingredients. Not everyone thinks organic is worth paying more for.

JD said...

I'll beat Bob to the punch responding to the second anonymous comment...we actually do offer organic brewed coffee at BIGGBY-every day, actually!

Our French Roast blend is both organic and Fair Trade, and is served in every store, every day. You should also keep your eyes open for our new Costa Rican offering, in stores now, that is also organic.

Hope that helps! -Jeremy

Anonymous said...

okay in regards to the organic survey, well organic is good, and yea capitalists! it costs more ya gotta charge more and it is the publics right to choose if they want to pay the extra! however how about for the rest of us who only really care about there being NO growth hormone? ya know from a no growth hormone cow? that is important to lots of people in my circle, not neccesarliy organic. The milk is not more expensive either, I get mine from whole foods, If you have ever seen the cows producing with the growth hormones, YUCK! It isn't appealing, but organic is more expensive so I don't go there personally. what say you?

Kate Spinillo said...

I think Biggby should absolutely start carrying organic milk, as well as other products. I would also love to see some local products [milk, granola, produce, etc.?]

Also, I know that Biggby does not recycle, and I think that is incredibly irresponsible. There is no excuse for that.

Rather than carrying organic milk for the sake of being trendy, I would really appreciate a holistic approach to making Biggby a more responsible part of the communities it serves. Less waste, more recycling, and more earth-friendly products would attract and hold customers.

christy said...

I absolutely agree with yels. I work at Biggby and am saddened that the company doesn't make effort to recycle and help improve the environment. I try to encourage my customers to purchase reusable coffee mugs. I see most of my customers daily and everyday they get their drink in a paper cup and ask for a cardboard sleeve. I do appreciate my regulars who reuse that sleeve. Maybe we should promote our promotional mugs. "B Green" right? I'd love to get Biggby and our customers involved in doing our part. I say try offering organic milk and see how it goes. Doesn't hurt to try. And as for the cost, people will pay for what they want. I know that Environmentally friendly products are more costly, but when we get everyone on board, costs will go down.

Anonymous said...

As someone with an agriculture background and a MSU vet student, I just want to throw it out there that organic is more than meets the eye! For instance, there is a HUGE amount of "extra" hormone floating around in your soy milk latte compared to one prepared with dairy! Plus the land management issues?!-it goes on and on. Maybe it's time to do some homework on what the term "organic" (that being from the USDA who says who gets to slap that on their products) really means. I bet everyone would be surprised!

Anonymous said...

While we're at it could we have some gluten free baked goods too? That's a big one for a lot of people. I know I would be picking up a muffin or bagel everytime I went in if gluten free were available.

BIGGBY BOB said...

This has been a perfect discussion...Just what I've been looking for :)

Anonymous said...

Bob- We polled the customers this morning and it is right down the middle. It is a toss up. Even hormone free was appealing to customers. Meijer only sells hormone free and it is the same price.

Anonymous said...

Bob- I have been a barista at Biggbys in Summerville SC for almost a year now and i think organic milk is a great idea! Time and time again i have people asking me about this, and i think it would be a great addition to our many options. I agree with the previous post, people will be willing to pay a little extra, everyones going green! When are you coming to visit us???!!

BIGGBY BOB said...

Abbey,

I will be in your neck of the woods this summer...I can't wait!
Thanks for your thoughts... :)

Anonymous said...

I'm all for gluten-free foods, too! There are great bakeries/stores in Grand Rapids that make gluten-free foods....I'm sure they'd love the opportunity to be in a coffee shop!

Unknown said...

I wish we could look into cornstarch products for all the utensils, plastic cups and also for the jugs for the thick syrups.

It would also be awesome to have at least one dessert that was vegan and gluten free. Like the Alternative Baking Company cookies. Which taste amazing!

If places as huge as ikea can recycle, Biggby's should too. I know I feel a twinge of guilt everytime I throw glass monin bottles away or carry huge stacks of thick cardboard down to the dumspter.

courtney said...

i think that you should do different soy milks. i drink soy milk and am jealous when i see someone who can order a fat free drink because i can't because ther is only one type of soy milk available.

Anonymous said...

I think the word "organic" doesn't mean what most people think it means. These people feel good buying food marked "organic" but don't look into how that food was really produced. Biggby could probably sell a lot of drinks for 50 cents more if the word "organic" was attached, but I am not convinced that it would be better for anyone else. I think a better option would be to buy dairy and other farm products directly from local producers. This supports the local producer and gives a direct line of feedback, so if the customers request hormone-free milk, Biggby could ask the dairy farmer to provide hormone-free milk, for example. No huge national distribution companies to deal with, no anonymous suppliers impossible to trace.

Anonymous said...

As a person who also needs to be gluten free, that would be awesome to have GF baked goods.

Anonymous said...

As another gluten free person and someone with a variety of allergies, I love Biggby but I would love to have gluten free goodies in there from time to time or even more fresh fruit and things that those with allergies could purchase. Another thing to consider is rice milk or if you are going to stick with soy milk, I too would LOVE to see a fat free or some sort of skinny soy milk offered.