CHICAGO—A new study by foodservice consultant Technomic and kid-focused brand marketing agency C3 finds nearly nine out of 10 kids surveyed say that fresh vegetables and fresh whole fruits are healthy. Other foods named healthy by kids included salad (78 percent), steamed vegetables (76 percent) and eggs (72 percent). At least half said that fish, cheese, chicken and peanut butter are healthy as well.
“Kids now are health savvy, and the nutritional education they’ve received will impact their choices as consumers,” said Darren Tristano, executive vice president at Technomic. “Health halo attributes related to natural, organic, local and sustainable foods could present an opportunity in the coming years for restaurants that recognize this growing awareness on the part of young consumers.”
The “Kids & Moms Consumer Trend Report” (Family Attitudes and Motivations in Foodservice) includes analysis of kids’ menus for the Top 250 chain and emerging chain restaurants as well as a look at kids’ marketing programs and current and upcoming trends in kids’ dining.
