<div><div><p paraid="1427215897" paraeid="{51a2127a-dd1f-4929-9a9a-7a2512eae424}{105}">By: Tabitha Benefield, Manager, Health and Well-being, FMI </p></div><div><p paraid="2131272804" paraeid="{51a2127a-dd1f-4929-9a9a-7a2512eae424}{113}"><img src="https://www.fmi.org/images/default-source/blog-images/nutrition-dietetics-day.tmb-large-350-.png?Culture=en&sfvrsn=fc96d9d4_1" style="float:right;margin:10px;" alt="Nutrition Dietetics Day" class="-align-right" sf-size="2152340" />March is here, which means it’s time to celebrate <a href="https://www.eatright.org/national-nutrition-month" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">National Nutrition Month® 2025</a>, a campaign led by the <a href="https://www.eatright.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics</a>. This year’s theme, “Food Connects Us,” highlights the powerful role food plays in bringing people together- across cultures, generations, and communities. </p></div><div><p paraid="1087140099" paraeid="{51a2127a-dd1f-4929-9a9a-7a2512eae424}{142}">Here at FMI, family meals are one of the most meaningful ways we experience this connection. Whether it’s a simple dinner at the end of a workday or Friendsgiving, sitting down together strengthens relationships, fosters healthy habits and improves well-being. This year’s National Nutrition Month theme could not be more complimentary of the FMI <a href="https://www.fmi.org/family-meals-movement" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Foundation’s Family Meals Movement</a>™ dedication to helping families enjoy more meals together using nutritious and affordable ingredients from the grocery store. </p></div><div><p paraid="321866280" paraeid="{51a2127a-dd1f-4929-9a9a-7a2512eae424}{215}">How well does the Family Meals Movement ™ campaign fit into the theme of “Food Connects Us”? Let’s Dive in!</p><h5 paraid="321866280" paraeid="{51a2127a-dd1f-4929-9a9a-7a2512eae424}{215}"><span style="background-color:transparent;color:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size:inherit;text-align:inherit;text-transform:inherit;word-spacing:normal;caret-color:auto;white-space:inherit;">1. Eating Together Builds Healthier Habits</span></h5><p paraid="321866280" paraeid="{51a2127a-dd1f-4929-9a9a-7a2512eae424}{215}"><span style="background-color:transparent;color:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size:inherit;text-align:inherit;text-transform:inherit;word-spacing:normal;caret-color:auto;white-space:inherit;">When families share meals, they tend to eat more fruits, vegetables and nutrient-dense foods, which leads to better health over time. Research has shown that children and teens who eat with their families regularly have better academic performance and lower risks of developing unhealthy eating habits. </span></p></div><div><h5 paraid="243603744" paraeid="{601af36f-49f7-42f1-a3dc-f0f8394579f3}{24}">2. Mealtime Strengthens Family Bonds- Food is More Than Just Nourishment </h5></div><div><p paraid="174003341" paraeid="{601af36f-49f7-42f1-a3dc-f0f8394579f3}{54}">Family meals are an opportunity to connect. Sitting down for a meal encourages meaningful conversations, emotional support and quality time together. Research gathered by the FMI Foundation indicates that family meals not only lead to increased fruit and vegetable intake, but also significantly improve psychosocial outcomes in children. </p></div><div><h5 paraid="914768351" paraeid="{601af36f-49f7-42f1-a3dc-f0f8394579f3}{82}">3. Honoring Cultural Traditions Through Food </h5></div><div><p paraid="1794626817" paraeid="{601af36f-49f7-42f1-a3dc-f0f8394579f3}{94}">Every family has unique food traditions that pass down stories, heritage and culinary skills from one generation to another. Whether preparing a time-honored recipe or learning about new ingredients, meals keep cultural connections alive. </p></div><div><h5 paraid="1945285865" paraeid="{601af36f-49f7-42f1-a3dc-f0f8394579f3}{112}">Making Mealtime Easier </h5></div><div><p paraid="391388017" paraeid="{601af36f-49f7-42f1-a3dc-f0f8394579f3}{123}">The food industry is constantly evolving to meet consumer needs, especially in ease of preparation and inclusion of healthy foods and ingredients. Retailers now offer: </p><ul paraid="391388017" paraeid="{601af36f-49f7-42f1-a3dc-f0f8394579f3}{123}"><li><span style="background-color:transparent;color:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size:inherit;text-align:inherit;text-transform:inherit;word-spacing:normal;caret-color:auto;white-space:inherit;">Budget-friendly meal solutions & family-friendly <a href="https://www.fmi.org/family-meals/toolkits/modular-toolkit">meal kits</a> </span><span style="background-color:transparent;color:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size:inherit;text-align:inherit;text-transform:inherit;word-spacing:normal;caret-color:auto;white-space:inherit;"></span></li><li><span style="background-color:transparent;color:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size:inherit;text-align:inherit;text-transform:inherit;word-spacing:normal;caret-color:auto;white-space:inherit;"></span><span style="background-color:transparent;color:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size:inherit;text-align:inherit;text-transform:inherit;word-spacing:normal;caret-color:auto;white-space:inherit;">Easy-to-follow recipes and meal-planning tools </span><span style="background-color:transparent;color:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size:inherit;text-align:inherit;text-transform:inherit;word-spacing:normal;caret-color:auto;white-space:inherit;"></span></li><li><span style="background-color:transparent;color:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size:inherit;text-align:inherit;text-transform:inherit;word-spacing:normal;caret-color:auto;white-space:inherit;"></span><span style="background-color:transparent;color:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size:inherit;text-align:inherit;text-transform:inherit;word-spacing:normal;caret-color:auto;white-space:inherit;">Partnerships with Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs) and Nutrition and Dietetics Technicians, Registered (NDTRs) to provide tailored support and nutrition education. </span></li></ul></div><div><p paraid="446587616" paraeid="{601af36f-49f7-42f1-a3dc-f0f8394579f3}{200}">By prioritizing family meals, we can create healthier, happier lives for ourselves and future generations. <span style="background-color:transparent;color:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size:inherit;text-align:inherit;text-transform:inherit;word-spacing:normal;caret-color:auto;white-space:inherit;">As we celebrate </span><a href="https://www.eatright.org/national-nutrition-month" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" style="font-family:inherit;font-size:inherit;text-align:inherit;text-transform:inherit;word-spacing:normal;white-space:inherit;">National Nutrition Month® 2025</a><span style="background-color:transparent;color:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size:inherit;text-align:inherit;text-transform:inherit;word-spacing:normal;caret-color:auto;white-space:inherit;">, let’s recognize that food does more than nourish—it brings us together. By encouraging more family meals, we strengthen our communities, our traditions, and our well-being. </span></p></div><div><p paraid="1915187459" paraeid="{601af36f-49f7-42f1-a3dc-f0f8394579f3}{221}">Join the Family Meals Movement today and experience the power of food to connect us together! </p></div></div><div><p paraid="1492042000" paraeid="{601af36f-49f7-42f1-a3dc-f0f8394579f3}{229}"><a href="https://www.fmi.org/family-meals-movement" class="button">Join the Movement</a></p></div>
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