Hy-Vee Celebrates National Family Meals Month this September with Special Events That Promote the Foods of Various Cultures and Mealtime Traditions
September 1, 2021 | News & Press Releases
Hy-Vee, Inc. celebrates National Family Meals Month this September with resources, solutions and giveaways that will bring families together for mealtime in unique ways in light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, Hy-Vee will host several events across its eight-state region that promote families from all cultures, with special attention to Hispanic Heritage Month, which begins Sept. 15.
Created by FMI – The Food Industry Association, National Family Meals Month is an industry-inspired movement to raise consumer awareness of the health and societal benefits of sharing frequent family meals. Research shows that children who share regular family meals typically display better grades, improved nutrition, stronger family relationships and higher self-esteem, and they are less likely to use drugs and alcohol.
While it’s often difficult for families to find time to sit down and enjoy a meal together due to busy schedules, the effects of the continued pandemic have brought new challenges and opportunities to families. While more families are cooking and eating meals at home, professional and personal lives have blended and redefined family mealtime. Hy-Vee is committed to bringing families together around the dinner table by making mealtime even easier.
Coinciding with National Family Meals Month is Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs Sept. 15-Oct. 15. It begins in the middle of the month to commemorate the independence of many Latin American countries including Costa Rica, Chile, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico and Nicaragua.
Throughout the month, Hy-Vee will recognize both Family Meals Month and Hispanic Heritage Month as well as other cultures by providing tools and resources to help families enjoy at least one more meal together each week while also recognizing family meal traditions that stem from various heritages. Special events and offerings include the following (additional announcements and details will be made throughout the month of September):
- Contactless drive-thru giveaways offering free Mealtime dinners at select Hy-Vee and Dollar Fresh locations across Hy-Vee’s eight-state region. Full-size meals that serve 4-6 people will be given away at each event as a way to bring families together around the dinner table, especially for families in areas that continue to be impacted by food insecurity as a result of the continued pandemic.
- Kids can eat free with each purchase of an adult entrée every day in September at all Hy-Vee food service departments and Hy-Vee Market Grille locations, as well as Hy-Vee-owned Wahlburgers locations. Get one free kids’ meal with each purchase of a select adult entrée. Valid for dine-in and carryout or delivery from hy-vee.com/mealtime. Delivery where available. Valid for children ages 12 and younger.
- Daily recipes, weekly meal ideas and grab-and-go dinner options will be offered on Hy-Vee’s social media platforms to make mealtime easier.
- Hy-Vee KidsFit social media platforms will share videos and resources to encourage kids and parents to stay active and make healthy choices together.
- Live cooking demonstrations with Hy-Vee chefs and dietitians will take place throughout the month on the Hy-Vee Facebook page. Viewers can participate in the Q&A session and enter for the chance to win prizes.
- Family-friendly freezer meals virtual classes led by Hy-Vee dietitians will guide participants through five days of meals to feed their family and offer customers tips and information on how they can shop and prepare food quickly and on a budget. Starting this month, classes will also be offered in Spanish.
- Eating Better on a Budget virtual store tours with your Hy-Vee dietitian will help customers navigate the aisles for eating better on a budget. Learn strategies for planning meals, shopping smarter, and comparing products for the best value. This is a 45-minute tour, with no fee.
- A digital family cooking guide containing international- and multicultural-themed recipes to inspire families to try new cuisines while also supporting various dietary needs and lifestyles. This resource is available on hy-vee.com/family-recipes.
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Hy-Vee, Inc. is an employee-owned corporation operating more than 280 retail stores across eight Midwestern states with sales of $11 billion annually. The supermarket chain is synonymous with quality, variety, convenience, healthy lifestyles, culinary expertise and superior customer service. Hy-Vee ranks in the Top 10 Most Trusted Brands and has been named one of America’s Top 5 favorite grocery stores. The company’s more than 86,000 employees provide “A Helpful Smile in Every Aisle” to customers every day. For additional information, visit www.hy-vee.com.