NEW DATA SHOWS FAMILIES LOSING CONNECTION OVER MEALTIMES  

When was the last time you sat down and ate dinner with your family? 

New research shows we’re losing the connection that comes with shared mealtimes, with less than half of Australians eating dinner together regularly. 

A survey commissioned by new Aussie meal solutions company, QuiteLike, found only 45% of Australians eat together most days, even though 88% of respondents agree mealtimes are an opportunity to connect with each other, and wish they could do it more often. 

QuiteLike is on a mission to provide meal solutions for real life, allowing Australians to enjoy delicious, nourishing and affordable meals, without having to compromise on quality or value. QuiteLike is focused on converting mealtimes from a chore into a special time for families where they can connect with the food and each other. 

The survey also revealed the biggest challenge in the kitchen included deciding what to cook (41%), lack of variety (29%), cooking from scratch being too much work (34%), meals could be healthier (29%) and being a chore (27%). 

“Life is busy with families competing against devices, work and extra-curricular commitments, but amidst the chaos, family dinners help us re-set, connect and share healthy food habits, learn new cooking skills and appreciate quality food together,” said Kirsty Davis GM, QuiteLike. 

“There are numerous studies that show families eating together most nights will lead to healthy eating habits, boost confidence, increase vocabulary in small children and strengthen family relationships across all ages. 

“To make it easier, Australians are turning to QuiteLike because we provide variety on the dinner table allowing children (from toddlers to teenagers) to taste new flavours and learn to cook together as well,” she said.  

The survey revealed that parents see mealtime as an opportunity to reconnect with their children during meal preparation and at the dinner table and introduce them to new flavours, techniques and meals. They see mealtime as a key moment in the day that brings people together and can be converted from a grudge chore into a special shared family time. 

The survey also revealed:

• - 55% say preparing a good meal makes them feel they are properly caring for their family
• - 83% say cooking fresh, nutritious meals is important to them
• - 72% of those surveyed have reduced the number of takeaway meals they usually have each week – with the majority (53%) down to once or twice a week
• - All households no matter their size (singles, couples, families) are changing the way they eat as a direct result of cost-of-living pressures 

Australians have embraced the meal kit sector, with the latest EuromonitorPassport "Ready Meals in Australia" report revealing the meal kit category in Australia is growing and forecast to be worth $1.959BN by 2026. 

“Customers are telling us they are including meal kits in their weekly repertoire as it allows them to plan their meal costs accurately with no wastage, and they know they're giving their families and partners fresh ingredients, with the hassle of deciding what to cook eliminated," said Ms Davis. 

“Our team of food experts has spent months developing interactive, exploratory recipes that appeal to the diverse Aussie palate and deliver a wide variety of healthy produce, irrespective of the cook’s skill set. We want to help families discover affordable, different meals through flavours and techniques that have been embedded in food cultures around the world and bring them into the Australian kitchen.” 

From a fast vegan ramen that mimics a slow-simmered tonkotsu broth, to a reinvented steak sandwich that uses blistered cherry tomatoes instead of ketchup, and an oven-baked green chicken curry, the highly experienced QuiteLike food team delivers dinnertime experiences using fresh, seasonally relevant ingredients and best quality produce. 

Providing a weekly spectrum of recipes from light meals to be more indulgent and kid-approved, and to be more adventurous, QuiteLike is an unashamed people-pleaser and supports home cooks to feel inspired, ultimately ensuing they plate up feeling elated, not deflated. 

To order from the QuiteLike visit: quitelike.com.