FMI Foundation's Family Meals Movement Prepares to Celebrate National Family Meals Month

In one year, the family meals movement established by the Food Marketing Institute (FMI) Foundation last September has gained significant momentum, company officials say. More than 100 grocery store chains and food manufacturers across the country have committed to helping Americans enjoy the benefits of one more meal at home each week as the nation prepares to celebrate National Family Meals Month this September.  To ensure that family meals register on consumers’ radar screens, FMI is blanketing the nation with educational messages this month – including an on –air promotional campaign that will air on Litton’s Weekend Adventure, a 3-hour block of programming that airs on ABC Stations nationwide each Saturday morning.

“We could not be more excited about all the support we have gained for the family meals movement in the past year,” says Sue Borra, executive director of the FMI Foundation.  “The campaign has been embraced by retailers of every size and a diverse group of food manufacturers.  Moreover, we know it is having an impact.  According to Nielsen Perishables Group, among consumers who saw the campaign last September, a whopping 74 percent took action!  This September, we hope to inspire even more grocery shoppers to enjoy more family meals. That’s why we are particularly excited about our partnering with Litton Entertainment which is helping us amplify the family meals message in a significant way.”

Throughout September, Litton will assist in highlighting National Family Meal Month and encourage viewers to share a meal through custom creative on-air spots that will air on its educational and informational Saturday morning programming block that airs on ABC stations nationwide.  The promotion will be themed to encourage millions of viewers to “share an adventure and a family meal.” Litton also will showcase the promotion through its social media channels.

“We believe this promotion on Saturday morning television will not only reach millions of families with our important messages, but it also will demonstrate the extraordinary success we can have to grow this movement when we work with the right strategic partners,” Borra continues.

The FMI Foundation launched National Family Meals Month in September 2015 to help American families achieve the goal of sharing one more meal each week at home with items from the grocery store.  It is simple for consumers.  It also makes great business sense for food retailers and has the potential of millions – hopefully more – meals per week with food sourced from grocery stores.

Industry participation in the movement is very simple and can require very little effort or investment.  For example, companies can Showcase existing family meal solutions as part of National Family Meals Month in September by using the hashtag #FamilyMealsMonth across social media in September or taking advantage of the numerous turnkey tools and ideas at www.FMIFamilyMeals.com.