Study: Family Meal Time Sees Resurgence

More families are sitting down to dinner at home more often.

July 19, 2010

"These findings underscore a real change in consumer behavior as the family meal enjoys a resurgence. People are hungry for delicious, healthy meals that can be shared with loved ones around the kitchen table," said Lucinda Scala Quinn, executive editorial director of food at Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia Inc. (MSLO).

The MSLO study found that 65 percent of respondents sat down to dinner at home at least five days per week. More than half of those surveyed ate breakfast at home at least five times weekly.

Culinary inspiration came from a variety of sources: publications, websites and television shows. More than a third of respondents used recipes for mealtime ideas more often than previously. More than 60 percent of those surveyed indicated health and efficiency topped the list of factors when looking at a recipe.

Because of busier lives, families have divvied up cooking tasks, with a quarter of women surveyed saying that meal preparation is shared by family members, including husbands. Forty-eight percent also cook in bigger sizes as a time saver.

More than half of those surveyed (55 percent) shopped at more than one store in search of better deals, and supermarkets still lead the pack as the best source for groceries. Consumers also are reading labels more to help them discern what??s healthy for them.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement