PG Web Extra: Keeping Health in the Family

As part of their overall health-and-wellness positioning, grocers should consider promoting the concept of families eating dinner together.

According to Sue Borra, RD, SVP, communications and strategic planning at Arlington, Va.-based Food Marketing Institute: “Family meals eaten at home have been proven to benefit the health and wellness of children and adolescents, to fight obesity and to make families stronger. FMI believes food retailers are uniquely positioned to promote and support family meals, which is why our organization is reigniting its campaign with its member companies to help elevate their unique roles in family mealtime solutions, or National Family Meals Month” in September.

Adds Borra: “Beyond classes and recipes, food retailers must be keenly aware of the numerous studies that cite the benefits of families eating together. In 2014, food retailers clearly embraced this concept, with 84 percent saying they are actively promoting communal eating, such as family meals. Family meals are at a critical intersection in our nation, so in 2015 FMI launched a first-of-its-kind collaboration among FMI Foundation, grocers and their valued customers to share, inspire and help each other prepare more family meals at home.”

For more about driving health in-store, visit "Driving Health In-store Requires Cooperation," in PG's March issue.