Family Meals Month: Encourage Your Shoppers to Share More Meals at Home

August 9, 2017
Retail Industry Insights

September is Family Meals Month and a great time to encourage the sharing of more meals at home.  According to a Cambridge University study, shared meals among family are more likely to have diets higher in nutritional quality but between work, school, homework and housework, meal time with family can get lost in the shuffle. 

The trend of increased spending on eating out has been prevalent over the last few decades.  In 2015, U.S. households spent an average 12.5% of their income on food, 43% of which accounted for food away from home. In the 12 month period from October 2015 to October 2016, meals at home continued to decline, while food away from home rose 2.4%.  Various reasons such as lack of time, convenience or more affordable fast food outlets are contributing factors for this increase.  Providing easy and affordable meal solutions and time-saving tips can help engage and inspire your shoppers to enjoy more meals at home.

• Provide meal-prep recipe ideas for shoppers with busy schedules. Meal prepping on Sundays or slow-cooker recipes can help save your shoppers time in the kitchen during the week.
     
• Create quick how-to cooking videos for shoppers. Short recipe videos between 30 and 60 seconds can help show shoppers how easy and approachable at home cooking can be.
• Host budget-friendly cooking classes in store.  It can help educate shoppers on how to pick fresh seasonal produce and other ingredients that are healthy and affordable. With the rising trend of plant-based foods, try suggesting tofu as the main protein.  It’s inexpensive and easy to cook with.  Pairing it with other seasonal veggies in a stir-fry is a good way to demonstrate a wholesome meal with affordable ingredients. 

Try suggesting this tasty Tofu Quinoa Salad made with tofu, quinoa, black beans and fresh veggies!  

For more information to support your promotional efforts with tofu, explore House Food’s Dietitian’s Guide  to Tofu, where you’ll find a variety of tools including 12 reasons to eat soyfoods, studies on soy, and a tofu calendar that can be incorporated into your program.  If you need materials (e.g. recipe booklets, coupons) for your program, contact marketing@house-foods.com.