Starbucks Debuts Vegan Cookie Nationwide

International coffee chain Starbucks recently added its first vegan pastry to its permanent menu nationwide. The Macadamia Oat Cookie ($2.45) is certified vegan and made with macadamia nuts, almonds, coconut and dried cranberries. A spokesperson for Starbucks told VegNews that the cookie debuted on April 17 and is now available in most locations nationwide. In addition to adding a variety of plant-based milks and prepared beverages to its menu last year, in July, the coffee chain debuted its first certified vegan food option—the Vegan Lentils & Vegetables Protein Bowl with Brown Rice. During its annual shareholder meeting in March, Starbucks’ Chief Operating Officer Rosalind Brewer announced that the coffee chain would offer more plant-based food options this year in response to a campaign started by animal-rights group Compassion Over Killing—which gained backing from singer LP, journalist Jane Velez-Mitchell, and more than 30,000 signatories on its petition.