Tensions are percolating at the University of Victoria.

Stop Starbucks UVic, a club with a featuring more than 500 likes is protesting the introduction of Starbucks into their campus to replace Finnerty Express Caf茅 in the fall of 2019.

B次元官网网址淪tarbucks will replace the locally-sourced Finnerty Express beneath the UVic bookstore, which will compromise the UniversityB次元官网网址檚 ability to control what food and beverages are served to studentsB次元官网网址� the organizations statement reads. B次元官网网址淭his replacement will remove a large number of affordable, locally produced foods from the UVic campus.B次元官网网址�

Their student-lead club asked for anonymity prefering to act as a B次元官网网址渃ohesion collective of students,B次元官网网址� a spokesperson told us on the phone they also feared the potential of repercussion from UVic. Their Facebook site features a banner that reads B次元官网网址淜eep Corporate Coffee Off Campus.B次元官网网址� UVicB次元官网网址檚 director of of campus operations said Starbucks is what the majority have asked for.

B次元官网网址淯VicB次元官网网址檚 customer base of students, faculty, staff and campus visitors has consistently voiced a preference through surveys, advisory committees, and focus groups that select brands are desired to complement the range of self-operated food locations,B次元官网网址� said director of campus operations Jim Forbes. B次元官网网址淪tarbucks has consistently ranked as one of three brands that was lacking on our campus.B次元官网网址�

He went on to say UVic has purchased a licensed Starbucks franchise to be self-operated by the university and that all current and new employees will remain unionized. He also expects to see a B次元官网网址渟ignificant increaseB次元官网网址� of on-campus student employment at the new Starbucks location.

B次元官网网址淥ur research with other universities with Starbucks locations including UBC, SFU and VIU, have all returned positive feedback regarding an enhanced student experience,B次元官网网址� he continued. B次元官网网址淲e are very supportive of Saltspring Coffee and the local bakeries whom we will have continue to support. While Saltspring Coffee will transition away from the Bookstore locationB次元官网网址� we are exploring opportunities that will see the Saltspring brand remain on campus.B次元官网网址�

Lone Tree Bakery, who supplies baked goods for Finnerty Express Caf茅 released a statement through Stop Starbucks UVic, saying they donB次元官网网址檛 feel it is fair that conglomerates are trying to displace their business with a disregard for the communities right to sustainable and local food.

B次元官网网址淯Vic is one of our largest clients and this shift as such has the potential to put us out of business,B次元官网网址� the statement read. B次元官网网址淭o lose one of our largest clients is devastating.B次元官网网址�

Stop Starbucks UVic is circulating a for anyone interested in sending him a letter to protest the change

arnold.lim@blackpress.ca
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