SuperValu has revealed the results of a comprehensive study on the current state of dinnertime rituals in Irish households as part of its new ‘Dinner Time Well Spent’ campaign.
The findings reveal both the enduring significance of family mealtimes and the increasing challenges posed by modern lifestyles.
According to the research, 80% of people in Ireland still believe that dinnertime is an important ritual that brings their family closer together.
The same proportion expressed a desire to share more meals together.
Additionally, some 92% of households with children over five years old said they want to have dinner together more often, yet 20% are only managing it twice a week.
Obstacles
The research has also highlighted other alarming statistics, uncovering significant obstacles to families and households maintaining regular mealtimes.
It appears that although the desire to sit down and eat together is strong, technology, busy schedules and the effort of making the meal means Irish households are not taking this time at the end of the day.
For those who are taking the time to eat dinner as a family, more than two-thirds eat dinner in front of the TV each week, with nearly a quarter (23%) doing it five times a week.
Distractions at mealtimes are also a concern, with 55% of those surveyed acknowledging that they experience some kind of disruption during dinner.
Some 23% cite the difficulty of getting everyone together at the same time as the greatest difficulty.
Furthermore, a staggering 60% of households let family members use a device during meals, with phones and TVs seen as the most permissible devices.
In addition to this, 30% of households allow laptops at the table, indicating that work and other obligations are increasingly encroaching on family time.
Obligations
In terms of families getting together, Sunday is the most popular day (33%), interestingly followed by Monday (31%).
The least likely days of Tuesday (3%), Wednesday (3%), and Thursday (4%) are also the most popular days that workers go into the office in hybrid working models, suggesting that commuting to work could impact family mealtimes.
While there is a clear recognition of the benefits of shared meals, the research also found that for many, preparing dinner is a source of stress.
Some 31% of respondents said they viewed it as a chore, and 49% expressing a desire to cook from scratch more often but cited a lack of time and energy as reasons for not doing so.
This issue was particularly prevalent among young adults aged 18-35, where the figure rose to 59%.
‘Reclaim Dinnertime’
The research coincides with the launch of SuperValu’s ‘Dinner Time Well Spent’ campaign.
SuperValu marketing manager Shane Lynch commented on the findings, saying, “At SuperValu, we understand the importance of dinnertime as a moment for families to reconnect.
“Our research shows that while the desire to preserve this tradition is strong, there are significant barriers that need to be addressed.
“We are committed to helping families across Ireland reclaim dinnertime, making it easier for them to come together, enjoy a meal, and strengthen their relationships.
“Our ‘Dinner Time Well Spent’ campaign is a call to families to prioritise the dinnertime tradition by coming together and enjoying the freshest, best-tasting quality food that makes every family dinner a special occasion.”
To support the spread of awareness, SuperValu is leaning into the universal, cross-cultural ritual of lighting a candle at the dinner table, encouraging families to put devices away, slow down, and enjoy a meal together.
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