Jan 26, 2020

Program Contributed to 91 Million Americans Cooking More Meals at Home

Phoenix – The FMI Foundation recognized eight food retailers, two suppliers and one community collaborator as elite contributors to the family meal movement. Each of the 2019 Gold Plate Awards recipients helped families achieve one more meal each week at home. The awards were presented at Stir It Up!, the Foundation’s annual fundraising event, during the FMI Midwinter Executive Conference.

“We are continually impressed by the commitment of the more than 400 companies who join the family meals movement,” said Executive Director of the FMI Foundation, David Fikes. “These stores make a difference in their communities and their shoppers’ lives. Today’s winners found new ways, through innovative partnerships and programs, to support families having more meals together.”

Results of a nationwide survey with Harris Poll show 36% of Americans are cooking more meals at home and eating together more often as a family, and 41% are making healthier food choices, as a result of National Family Meals Month. The National Family Meals Month campaign witnessed a 45% increase in retailer participation; a 107% increase in supplier participation; and a 159% increase in community collaborators since last year.

Fikes added, “The same Harris Poll found that 25% of Americans have seen the Family Meals Month campaign and that 84% of Americans are willing to commit to having one more family meal each week.”

The movement was boasted across the country with support from regional leaders. In 2019, 18 states proclaimed September as Family Meals Month: Connecticut, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont and Wisconsin.

The 2019 Gold Plate Award Winners

Gold Plate Award Category:  Retailer 1 – 49 stores

Winner: Northgate Gonzalez Market

Program: Cada Comida tiene una Historia / Every Meal has a Story

Honorable Mention:  Martin’s Super Markets

Program: Family Meal Champ Challenge

 

Gold Plate Award Category:  Retailer 50 – 199 stores

Winner: Tops Markets, LLC

Program: Tops Table Time 

Honorable Mention: Hannaford Supermarkets

Program: Snack Pals

 

Gold Plate Award Category:  Retailer 200+ stores

Winner: Wakefern Food Corporation

Program: ShopRite’s Family Meals Month: “From Our Family to Yours”

Winner: Hy-Vee, Inc.

Program: 2019 National Family Meals Month at Hy-Vee

Honorable Mention: Stop and Shop

Program: Meal Solutions/Dinner Daily

 

Gold Plate Award Category:  Rising Star

Winner:  Newport Avenue Market

Program: We Believe in Family Meals

 

Gold Plate Award Category:  Supplier

Winner: Campbell Soup Company

Program: Campbell Family Meals Month Campaign

Honorable Mention: Eggland’s Best

Program: EB Better Family Meals Program

 

Gold Plate Award Category:  Community Collaborator

Winner: National Pork Board

Program: Meal Solutions for Schools, Retail, and Partners

Read the 2019 Gold Plate Award Winners' stories at www.FMI.org/GoldPlateAwards and join the conversation with #FamilyMealsMonth.