The Food Foundation Podcast Pod Bites: Why family meals matter
Jan 2, 2026
Dan Parker, Chief Executive of Veg Power, champions healthier eating among children. He discusses the Families and Food Task Force's research revealing families dine together over five times a week, though this frequency doesn’t guarantee more vegetable consumption. Parker shares insights on the importance of mealtime for bonding and communication, the challenges families face in maintaining healthy meals, and shares Veg Power's exciting initiatives planned for 2026 to inspire joyful family dining and better nutritional habits.
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Family Meals Are Frequent But Not Enough
- Families eat together more than five times per week across all sociodemographic groups.
- Frequency of shared meals does not predict how many vegetables children eat on an average day.
Harmony Often Trumps Health At Meals
- Parents highly value togetherness, bonding and harmony at family meals above other goals.
- This preference can lead families to avoid actions perceived to risk mealtime harmony, even if healthier.
Design Veg Campaigns Around Shared Rewards
- Design interventions that encourage joint parent–child participation and reward both parties.
- Frame initiatives as strengthening family bonds rather than sources of conflict.