Organic dairy farmers could benefit from increased demand for
their milk after
McDonalds has announced it
is switching to organic milk for its coffee and hot chocolate
drinks.
The move could account for 5% of the UK’s organic milk
supplies.
In a bid to tap into growing consumer interest in the provenance
of food, the fast-food chain recently switched its supply of coffee
beans to stocks certified by conservation group the Rainforest
Alliance. The move added 10% to McDonalds coffee sales.
UK chief executive Steve Easterbrook said: “British consumers
are increasingly interested in the quality, sourcing and ethics of
the food and drink they buy.
“This has led to growth in the supply of British-produced
organic milk, which has enabled us to make this move for our
customers.”
McDonalds will also be switching its mini pots of milk for tea
to organic semi-skimmed milk.
Daryl Caswell of
Arla Foods, which supplies
all McDonalds’ mainland milk demand, said: “The organic market for
milk has been increasing significantly year on year. It is good to
see McDonalds is leading the quick-service sector in converting to
organic.”
McDonalds also said it hoped the move would increase consumer
demand for organic milk and help the sector to grow.
