There’s just one problem: It costs $110 million a year, and there’s no evidence that the campaign
has increased milk consumption beyond California, where it was modestly successful the first couple
of years. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s inspector general reported that milk usage was up
0.85 percent one year, down 0.42 percent the next.
Overall milk sales have, in fact, dropped. Oops! Milk usage continues on an overall downward
spiral, as Americans consume only about half the amount of milk recommended by the government’s
dietary guidelines.
So the question is posed: How effective is a campaign that generates high awareness, measurable
acceptance and even improved attitudes but doesn’t effect action?