Family mealtimes can be a great opportunity for families to connect with each other and have meaningful conversations. Research has shown that children who have regular family meals have better diets as well as better emotional, academic, and social behavior. Preparing meals at home can also positively impact a family’s finances. McCreary County Cooperative Extension sought to convey these messages through the program “A Lesson to Chew On”. The program was provided at the Extension office for parents and their children. The families prepared spaghetti and meatballs as a family unit and took part in a lesson on the importance of family communication and fun family mealtimes. Examples were provided on ways to include children in mealtime prep and importance of taking the time to communicate as a family were emphasized. 

4 adults and 8 children participated in the program. 75% of the children and 100% of the adults correctly answered questions regarding the importance of family mealtimes. 25% adults, 38% children stated they ate fruit 1 time per day and 75% of adults, 63% children stated they ate fruit 2 times per day. Of the 4 adults and 8 children who completed the evaluations, 12% children stated they ate vegetables less than 1 time per day, 38% children/25% adults stated they ate vegetables 1 time per day, 38% children/75% adults stated they ate vegetables 2 times per day, and 12% children stated they ate vegetables 3 times per day. Of the adults, 25% stated they ate at home 3 days per week, 25% ate at home 4 days per week, 25% ate at home 5 days per week, and 25% ate at home 6-7 days per week. Of the children, 12% stated they rarely ate at home, 25% ate at home 4 times per week, 12% ate at home 5 days per week, and 50% ate at home 6-7 days per week. The adults were provided additional question related to food shopping; 25% stated they sometimes compared food prices, 50% stated they often (about 60% of time) did, and 25% stated they usually did (>80% of time). 50% of the adults stated they rarely planned meals before grocery shopping and 50% stated they often planned meals prior to shopping. 25% stated they rarely looked in the fridge or cupboard before shopping, 50% stated they often did, and 25% stated they always looked prior to shopping. 25% stated they sometimes made a list before shopping, 25% stated often, 25% usually, and 25% stated they ALWAYS made a list prior to shopping.

Both children and adults stated they greatly enjoyed getting to cook and eat together. As this was the first cooking program following the pandemic, all ingredients/utensils were separated by family unit and each family was provided with their own space for meal prep. Adults and children were taught how to use an electric pressure cooker to prepare spaghetti and meatballs and given the opportunity to converse with one another. Adult participants stated they enjoyed getting to have the experience with the kids. One grandmother stated she enjoyed “getting to spend time with my granddaughter and watching her learn more cooking skills”. Another parent stated that spending “quality time and experiencing life with my family” was the best part of the program for her. Another parent stated that she enjoyed that the kids were able to help cook the meal as well. The kids stated they enjoyed cooking and spending time with their families. Several of the participants stated they would prepare the meal again and many of the adults stated they would be interested in more programs related to using electric pressure cookers.