New Food Marketing Institute Foundation Website Motivates Families to Get Back to the Table

ARLINGTON, VA – September 1, 2015 – Families across the country are committing to one more meal together each week this September in celebration of National Family Meals Month™. The value of family meals is well known: from increased self-esteem to improved grades and reduced risky behaviors to better nutrition. Helping American families achieve the goal of one more meal at home each week, the food retailer industry has developed and launched a new website with multiple resources, www.NationalFamilyMealsMonth.org

"September is the perfect month to spotlight long-term benefits of family meals, and start a conversation that inspires people to share more meal occasions at home with items from the grocery store," said Cathy Polley, RPh, executive director of the Food Marketing Institute Foundation, which supports the role of food retailing and focuses on research and education in the areas of food safety, nutrition and health. "Juggling the demands of modern life—school, sports, jobs and long commutes—can sabotage the best laid plans for family meals. We want to help Americans make wholesome meals together, at home, a modern family tradition – not just in September, but all year long."

The website, www.NationalFamilyMealsMonth.org, is filled with tools, tips, and meal-planning ideas to make it easier for families to have one more meal together per week. The website also includes links to more than 75 partners – primarily food retailers and manufacturers – also committed to helping consumers achieve their increased family meals goal. In short, families can find support from their favorite local supermarket and food brands.

The FMI Foundation also is encouraging Americans to join the National Family Meals Month movement by pledging to one more breakfast, lunch or dinner at home per week. Shoppers can post pledge photos, mealtime pictures, favorite recipes and shopping tips or even post a selfie wearing a favorite oven mitt with the hashtags #raiseyourmitt and #familymealsmonth.