More People Want Milk — Just Not From Cows

Cows have lots of competition these days. Milk now comes from soybeans, almonds, coconut, rice, oats, hemp, cashews and peas. There's a growing demand for alternative milk. Market analysts found a 61 percent jump in sales between 2012 and 2018. Reasons for choosing non-dairy milk include veganism, lactose intolerance, environmental concerns and nutritional benefits. Switching from cow’s milk can cut bad cholesterol, help weight management and provide many vital nutrients.

Class discussion: Do you prefer cow’s milk or one of the alternatives? Why? What nutrients does cow’s milk have that the alternatives do not? What do you think of plant-based alternatives to meat? Would plant-based foods be better for the environment than foods from animals? Why or why not? Are you concerned about how farm animals are treated? What do you think of laws that would make it a crime to call a plant substitute a form of “meat” or “milk”?