Jan 27, 2019

Program Contributed to a 115 Percent Increase in Awareness of National Family Meals Month™

MIAMI, FL – The Food Marketing Institute (FMI) Foundation revealed the winners of its 2018 Gold Plate Awards that recognize the partners who were major contributors in turning National Family Meals Month™ into a countrywide movement this past year.  The awards distinguish elite contributors to the family meal movement among food retailers, suppliers and community collaborators who help families achieve one more meal each week at home.  The awards ceremony took place at the Foundation’s annual fundraising event, Stir It Up!, held at the FMI Midwinter Executive Conference.

“It is truly extraordinary to realize that we only started this family meals initiative four years ago and that Nielsen data shows more than a quarter of American shoppers are familiar with the movement,” reported Sue Borra, RD, executive director of The FMI Foundation.  “This 115 percent increase in awareness since last year alone is a result of the creative work of tonight’s award-winners – as well as the more than 230 companies who joined the family meals movement since its inception. Even more exciting is that we are seeing these inspiring efforts extend the messaging about the importance of family meals throughout the year, not just in September.”

In 2018, the National Family Meals Month campaign experienced a 20 percent increase in retailer participation; a 40 percent increase in supplier participation; and a 37 percent increase in community collaborator participation.

To date, eight states have proclaimed September as Family Meals Month: Michigan, Utah, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wisconsin.

The 2018 Gold Plate Award Winners

The winning programs were chosen by an external, independent panel of judges and rated on breadth, depth, and extent of reach; originality and creativity; corporate participation; ability to scale and replicate the program; and, promotion of National Family Meals Month™.

Gold Plate Award Category: Retailer 1 – 49 stores

Winner: Festival Foods
Program: Festival Family Meals: Kid-Approved Foods

Honorable Mention:  Martin’s Super Markets
Program: The Flavorful Four

Gold Plate Award Category: Retailer 50 – 199 stores

Winner: GIANT Food Stores
Program: Power of One More Family Meal

Honorable Mention: Tops Markets, LLC
Program: Raising Our Mitt to Commit! #FamilyMealsMonth

Honorable Mention: Coborn’s, Inc.
Program: Healthy For Good™ Family Meals

Gold Plate Award Category: Retailer 200+ stores

Winner: Wakefern Food Corporation
Program: Family Meals Month at ShopRite

Winner: Hy-Vee, Inc.
Program: Hy-Vee, Inc.’s National Family Meals Month Campaign

Honorable Mention: Albertsons Companies
Program: Kid-Approved Meals for the Whole Family

Gold Plate Award Category: Supplier

Winner: Kellogg Company
Program: Family Meals for Healthier, More Successful, Safer Kids!

Honorable Mention: The Kraft Heinz Company
Program: Kraft Heinz Celebrates Family Meals Month

Gold Plate Award Category: Community Collaborator

Winner: Produce for Better Health Foundation
Program: Fruits and Veggies—More Matters Month: A Focus on Family Meals 

Follow the 2018 Gold Plate Award Winners' stories on social media with #FamilyMealsMonth and at www.FMI.org/GoldPlateAwards.