As the pressure mounts with kids back in school, parents admit that dinnertime has become less a cherished ritual and more a daily chore they struggle to keep up with. Younger parents are feeling the drop most. Research shows that more than 80% of those aged 25 to 34 say they spend less time at family dinners than they did in the past.
HelloFresh has joined forces with respected Psychologist Allison Keating to highlight the significant, long-term benefits of adding just one more family dinner per week:
“Sitting down to dinner as a family is far more than a daily routine; it is a proven way to nurture children’s health, well-being, and development. Research shows that adding just ten extra minutes to family mealtimes can increase a child’s likelihood of healthy eating across their lifetime.
In my experience, "these simple rituals of connection, from prepping food together to sharing the meal itself, strengthen family bonds and help children feel secure. Even one additional family meal each week can create a realistic and lasting change, fostering resilience, social skills, and parent–child connection that will benefit children well beyond the dinner table.”
HelloFresh is inviting Irish families to commit to one extra dinnertime together each week in September as part of the Nothing Beats Dinnertime Challenge. Hannah Duxbury-Pardoe, Head of Product Operations at HelloFresh, said:
"As summer ends and busy routines resume, it’s often quality dinnertimes that slip through the cracks. But the evidence is clear: sharing a meal – whether it’s preparing it, cooking together, or simply sitting down as a family – does more than nourish. It strengthens relationships, improves communication, and supports emotional well-being".
"We know how stretched modern households are, and how easy it is for dinner to become another task to tick off. But even setting aside one extra evening a week for a shared meal can make a real difference. That’s why HelloFresh is inviting families to take part in a new challenge: to reclaim just one more dinnertime a week and see the changes along the way. Through their experiences, we hope to show that meaningful connection isn’t about perfection, it’s about presence, and making space for it in ways that work."
