It seems as if the food we eat is now being used to increase one’s popularity. Now food brands are accessories.

“I see people go to Tpumps and post pictures on Instagram about it,” junior Griffin Kimura said. “I see the Tpumps name around, too, and know that they just went there.”

Public image is first priority to high school students, and now, for better or worse, food has become an accessory to that. Going to places like Tpumps and posting pictures of it on Instagram has become very popular.

“They say ‘hashtag selfie’ and ‘hashtag Tpumps’ all the time. Everyone does it.” Kimura said, expressing a common view regarding food pictures. “I’m going to eat it, not take a picture. I’m not superficial like that.”

In the past, one’s public image was commonly described by their sexuality, compatibility and fashion. Whether or not someone was a virgin could decide whether someone was likeable.

Now, students post about “losing their Tpumps virginity” to fit into the teenage herd.

“Yeah, I’ve seen people post about losing their ‘Tpumps virginity,’” Raffi Samurkashian said. “I can see how there is a social connection between food and sex.”

The use of the term “virginity” seems to be used to make their experience seem more important.

“Yeah, it gives the experience an emphasis,” Samurkashian said.

This image, however, only affects those with the social media to observe it. This generally consists of teenagers; most adults disregard the idea of ‘food virginity.’

“I have not seen this directly, but it really is just a function of the Facebook type culture,” said teacher David Talcott. “It is just a cry for attention, whether people care or not.”

Plea for attention or not, certain brands of food come and go as fads in their style.

“I used to go to the Ocha place in Marina Market, it is just as good as Tpumps,” junior Alex Wu said. “But now nobody goes there.”

Kimura added: “All the cool kids started going to Tpumps and everyone else just followed.”

As a fashion statement, Tpumps drinks have become comparable to handbags or bags from the mall.

“People everywhere just walk around with Tpumps drinks in their hand like a bag,” said Kimura. “They just flaunt the name around.”

Like a clothes brands, popular names attract people.

“If a lot of people are eating the same thing then I assume it is good and I want to eat it too,” said sophomore Kelsey Ching.

As teenagers look for more ways to increase their popularity, food is becoming a new outlet. Physically holding a certain food or taking a picture of it now has a significant social statement.