Cafés Still Charge Extra for Alt Milk—Here’s Why the Practice Is Outdated
⏱ 1 min read The Short Version Despite most major chains dropping surcharges by 2026, some cafés still charge extra for plant-based milks due to outdated pricing models and lingering dairy subsidies. The practice reflects an outdated system that fails to account for the true cost of dairy and rising demand for alternatives. In This Article Why the Surcharge LingersThe Demand for Nondairy Is Getting Louder Real talk: The “plant-based milk tax” is fading, but some cafés are still charging extra for non-dairy options. As of 2026, most major chains have eliminated surcharges, yet independent shops and a few holdouts…