Teens influence food purchases...and food bills. They have a great deal
of dollar influence and spending power. Although teens spend about $94
billion annually, with more than 10% of this amount directed toward food
(mostly soft drinks, snacks, cookies, candy, and fast food), youth exert
significant influence on spending across virtually all food categories.
This figure does not include the billions of dollars parents spend under
the influence of youth. A glitzy image may get youth to buy a product
in the first place, but flavor influences repeat performances. If it doesn't
taste good, they won't want it again. One mechanism for increasing
milk consumption is to provide dairy products that have an appealing taste.
According to Dr. Joseph Hotchkiss, packaging specialist from Cornell University,
Ithaca N.Y., "if you want to increase milk sales, make sure the milk
appeals to children. If they like milk when they are young they are more
apt to drink it as an adult." One way to have good-tasting milk is
to protect it from light.