Surprised and encouraged by the huge popularity of single-serve plastic milk containers, the dairy industry is introducing a variety of more user-friendly containers to regain ground lost to the soft-drink world.
Some dairies have turned to a 3-liter pitcher-shaped bottle that is easier for children to pour, while others are trying a variety of new sizes and designs."We looked at the 3-liter bottle, but the one we looked at didn't seem very user-friendly so we've chosen not to go with it," said Mike Winder of Winder Dairy in West Valley City.
Instead, Winder Dairy in mid-May will introduce a clear plastic half-gallon milk container with a new shape for its wholesale sales. There also will be a similar quart container for its home delivery and wholesale trade.
"It looks sharp, it has a grip that is easier to pour, the milk actually tastes better and it looks more 21st century," Winder said. "I think consumers are tired of stodgy old milk cartons. We've tried to be innovative over the years and use new techniques that appeal to customers. Milk is a very exciting beverage that some consumers have forgotten about."
Like other dairies, Winder also wants to promote milk as a beverage that can be "on the go," and it offers clear plastic single-serve containers. Mike Winder said single-serve flavored milks have been quite popular and Winder Dairy's assortment includes root beer, orange-vanilla, strawberry and banana. "Our home delivery customers can mix and match their own six packs."
Winder is continuing to use its "earth-friendly" hard plastic bottles that are delivered to 25,000 home delivery customers. These are returnable and can be washed, sanitized and refilled with milk more than 100 times before being recycled.
Although it just celebrated its 120th anniversary this month, Winder Dairy is trying to reposition itself in the market. "More and more, as Winder Dairy establishes our niche, we're not a dairy, we're a wholesome beverage provider," Mike Winder said.
An example of that is the company's outreach to potential customers who are lactose intolerant. Currently, Winder offers fresh apple, orange and grapefruit juices. In May it will introduce a new product made of freshly pressed apple juice and various flavorings.
The flavors will include grape, tropical fruit ("It tastes a lot better than fruit punch," Winder said), blue raspberry, strawberry and black cherry. Each will provide a full day's supply of vitamin C and will contain more potassium than a banana.
These also will come in clear plastic bottles. "We've found that when customers can see the product, especially with all these flavors, it appeals to them more," Winder said. "If children can be more excited about 100 percent juices and milk, they're going to be drinking more of that than soda pop and Kool-Aid. There's been a trend toward sugar water, and we're trying to get away from that," he said.
Rachel Jones, a registered dietitian who handles media relations for the Dairy Council of Utah and Nevada, said the new packaging and marketing techniques could get people to drink more milk and gain essential calcium.
"It all started with the single serve containers. Nobody expected they'd be this popular," she said. "Portability is the main issue, especially for families on the go. It's hard to lug a gallon of milk around. For my family, the six packs of single-serve milk are great."
The single serve plastic bottles with replaceable caps also are more practical than the square cardboard containers because people don't have to drink it all at once. Plastic bottles also are sturdier to lug around for lunches, picnics and "dashboard dining," said Jones, the mother of three.
You can reach Linda Thomson by e-mail at lindat@desnews.com