By: Imogen Angel, Assistant, FMI Foundation
Family meals are of utmost importance to fostering robust mental and physical health. Setting aside time for a meal with loved ones provides a space for conversation and support that is necessary to build a healthy family unit or community. Time and time again, research has shown that family meals promote both physical and mental well-being across generations. Whether it be an opportunity to encourage little ones to try fruits and veggies, or to help develop the emotional skills necessary to navigate conflict, family meals are essential to community growth and health. Family meals are a precious opportunity to create space to check in with loved ones and dedicate time to our relationships, no matter how you define family.
This September, the 10th National Family Meals Month™, the FMI Foundation has partnered with the National Federation of Families (Federation), a national, family-run organization that supports families in crisis. The Federation brings together more than 120 affiliates and partners that uplift families whose children, of any age, are affected by substance use or mental health challenges. As a source of advocacy in the formation of national policy, services, and supports, the Federation is dedicated to ensuring our systems center the needs of families. The role of family meals in cultivating connection, strengthening community, and bolstering mental health makes this a powerful partnership.
This Family Meals Month, the Federation has called upon Americans to share one more meal a week at home, and to capture snapshots of these moments to keep the momentum going. Let these photos serve as a reminder of the importance of making time for family meals in all our lives, the potential for connection and growth in sharing a simple meal together, and maybe even as motivation to share a photo of your own!
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