ALBERTA, CANADA - Dinnertime was a sacred occasion in my household growing up. My parents taught me that coming together to share a meal was an intimate act of love. It seems the same can be said for today’s consumers, according to findings from The Little Potato Company’s recent survey that dives into the current state of family dinners.

“With afterschool activities and busy schedules, making family dinners happen at home on a regular basis isn’t easy,” said Angela Santiago, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder. “That’s why having options of nutritious whole foods that are pre-washed and quick to make—like The Little Potato Company’s potatoes—are important so families can spend less time in the kitchen and more time creating memories.”

While four in 10 families report having only three or fewer dinners together per week, 56 percent believe a shared meal is one of the best ways to bond. Nearly one-fifth said they need quick, healthy meals to prepare.

According to an announcement from the company, parents report it takes an average of nearly 45 minutes to prepare a full meal at home, but they only spend about 36 minutes eating an at-home meal together with family.

Parents’ most important factor for an “ideal weeknight family dinner” is having a meal that uses a passed down or favorite family recipe, followed by good conversation, having all family members in the household present, everyone can agree on what to eat, and everyone can eat without complaining.

The survey results found that 3 in 5 parents agree they have to incentivize their kids to eat certain food items, including lighter green vegetables, such as lettuce and salads and darker green vegetables like spinach or kale. To incentivize kids to eat foods they dislike, parents report offering their children a later bedtime, more screen time after dinner, and dessert.

For more findings from the survey, click here.

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The Little Potato Company