<p>By: Imogen Angel, Assistant, FMI Foundation, FMI</p><p><img src="https://www.fmi.org/images/default-source/family-meals/infographics/carousel/tgn_072922_nfmm_2022_infographic2.tmb-large-350-.jpg?Culture=en&sfvrsn=d85b90fd_1" style="float:right;margin:10px;" alt="National Family Meals Month" class="-align-right" sf-size="419757" />A “family meal” looks a bit different for me today than it has in years past. This is largely due to growing up, becoming independent, and the major transitions of the past few years of my life. As I suspect may be the case for other members of Gen Z, how both community and food fit into my life has evolved significantly as my lifestyle has changed. Living at home, family meals were more of a given and facet of daily life, and I had less agency over how, when and what I ate. </p><p>In college, eating on campus meant that meals were often a time for me and friends to commiserate over our options, or to plot how to make the most of our meal-plan. Moving into my first off-campus house, me and my roommates celebrated our new home by cooking and sharing a meal together, relishing in our newfound freedom and independence. Over the years, one thing has remained consistent- meals have been an opportunity for social gathering and bonding.</p><p>Transitioning to living fully independently has meant that my chosen family now plays a central role in my life. My roommates are now who support me on a daily basis- we see each other off in the morning, come home to each other and live much of our lives together. One of our favorite ways to enjoy each other’s company is over a meal. Now, our family meals look like having some friends over, slightly overcrowding the kitchen and taking on cooking a delicious meal together. Even if our kitchen table isn’t quite big enough, or we make some unplanned ingredient substitutions, sharing a meal is one of the best ways we can carve out quality time for each other.</p><p>Eating as a “family” has several practical benefits, too. I have found that splitting the responsibility of purchasing ingredients for a meal is cost efficient, and sharing leftovers between friends helps us to minimize our food waste. Dividing the labor of cooking also makes the idea of making a home-cooked meal less daunting, more fun and I am much more likely to include a variety of food groups in a meal when cooking is a way to connect with my community. When I have a “family” meal on my schedule I know I am going to get at least one good serving of vegetables in.</p><p>While family meals may look a bit different for me nowadays, I am grateful for how my definition of family has expanded. Taking intentional time to share a meal with my chosen family has allowed me to learn about my friend’s cultures and traditions, pick up their best cooking habits and for us to strengthen our relationships. Continuing the tradition of family meals through our lives major transitions is one way for Gen Z to ensure that we stay connected to family, chosen or given.</p><a href="https://www.fmi.org/family-meals" class="button">Learn More About Family Meals</a>
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