Q. Why do dairy foods marketers need to pay attention to the needs and wants of baby boomers?

A. This population group dominates much of American culture. When research tells us that boomers want certain kinds of products or packaging, we know that the market is enormous. To ignore boomers' needs would be to miss critical opportunities for growing the dairy business.

Q. Why is it crucial that dairy foods maintain a strong role in the diet of baby boomers?

A. Calcium helps keep their bones strong; dairy foods help them maintain a healthy weight; and dairy protein works to rebuild muscle. Low-carb, high-protein diets are a natural for products with whey ingredients. And dairy innovations in probiotics and functional foods offer tantalizing new ways to help boomers stay healthy. If the dairy industry does not respond to what boomers want, someone else will.

Q. How can processors successfully appeal to baby boomers?

A. Let's face it: Boomers want to be able to do at 55 what they did at 25. If the dairy industry can make it so that the foods boomers have always loved are even better for them now, we'll be doing ourselves a favor. For example, boomers can't seem to get enough of full-flavored and artisan cheeses. If we apply recently identified injection technology to cheese, there is an opportunity to add more flavors to cheese as well as value-added ingredients such as vitamin D.

Q. How can dairy processors get assistance with developing and marketing dairy foods to baby boomers?

A. Contact DMI today by calling 800/248-8829. Not only do we offer technical advice, we support research into innovative products, processes and packaging and maintain a wealth of information on the Web site, www.extraordinarydairy.com. We've got a great track record, and we're ready to help

anyone innovate.