Underscoring the Importance of Family Meals

With children back to school and fall activities ramping up, the Food Marketing Institute (FMI) reminds families of the importance of family meals.

A recent consumer survey of American grocery shoppers, conducted by FMI and Rodale Inc., underscores the infrequency of family meals in the U.S. Only 57 percent of survey respondent parents eat dinner with their children every night.

"We already know the many benefits of family meals," said Sue Borra, executive director of the FMI Foundation. "Academic research shows that kids and teens who eat meals with their family four or more times a week earn better test scores and perform better in school."

The top three requests for grocery stores were: 

* Provide more kid-friendly recipes in stores;

* Display foods together that can be combined for an easy meal; and

* Provide more ready-to-eat foods that kids like.