HEINZ STUDY REVEALS 88% OF KIDS IN MUNSTER CRAVE FAMILY CONNECTION DURING MEALTIMES, BUT INSTEAD MANY ARE ON PHONES OR WATCHING TV

HEINZ STUDY REVEALS 88% OF KIDS IN MUNSTER CRAVE FAMILY CONNECTION DURING MEALTIMES, BUT INSTEAD MANY ARE ON PHONES OR WATCHING TV

• Heinz and Barnardos reunite for the fourth year to launch limited-edition ‘Heinz Meanz Mealz’ Beanz three-packs, supporting vulnerable families across Ireland

• New Heinz data reveals 88% of children surveyed in Munster believe it’s important for families to eat together and 60% say their favourite part is talking about their day

• Yet 1 in 5 (18%) kids say they’re always on phones or watching TV at the dinner table, and that meals are rushed or disrupted (65%)

• Only 10% of parents surveyed in Munster said they eat every meal together. TV (42%), social media (42%) and phone notifications (40%) are seen as the primary cause for lack of focus at the dinner table, closely followed by work commitments or stress (25%)

• In response, Heinz and Barnardos introduce Cannection Kits featuring games and prompts to spark conversation over a warm Beanz-based meal

• Vogue Williams offers her point of view and tips for families to connect over meals

Heinz, Barnardos, and ambassador Vogue Williams have joined forces to launch limited-edition ‘Heinz Meanz Mealz’ Beanz cans for the fourth year, which are available in supermarkets nationwide now.

For every pack of ‘Heinz Meanz Mealz’ purchased, Heinz will donate to Barnardos Breakfast Clubs as well as their family support programmes. In the last four years, the partnership has seen:

• Over 1 million packs of ‘Heinz Meanz Mealz’ cans sold – enough to fill every seat in Croke Park over 12 times!

• Almost 4,000 vulnerable children and families in Ireland receive support

• This includes the distribution of thousands of cans of Heinz Beanz, Hoops and Soups through Barnardos services, providing warm meals in their Early Years Centres across the country, as well as food and essential care parcels to the families they work with

The relaunch comes as new research commissioned by Heinz continues to reveal the impact of modern life on mealtimes and family connections in Ireland, as well as children’s sense of belonging. Heinz conducted a survey to understand attitudes towards family mealtimes and family connection around the dinner table.

   A survey revealed how children across Munster view family mealtimes:

• 88% believe that it is important for families to eat together, with nearly half (47%) of children saying that they would like to eat a family meal together every day and 20% saying more than once a day.
• 61% say that family mealtimes make them feel happy, and their favourite thing to do around the dinner table is talk about their day (60%) and eat their favourite foods (45%).
• However, 65% think mealtimes are rushed or disrupted and 18% admitted to always using their phones or watching TV during family meals.

In a survey of parents in Munster, the Heinz study also revealed:

• 75% of parents surveyed believe that uninterrupted family mealtimes improve their and their family’s happiness.
• Nearly half (46%) want to sit and eat a meal every day with their family and a whopping 83% believe that family mealtimes are essential for fostering strong relationships and communication in modern families.
• Yet just 10% revealed that they sit down to eat every meal together as a family.
• TV (42%), social media (42%) and phone notifications (40%) are seen by parents as the primary cause for lack of focus at the dinner table, closely followed by work commitments or stress (25%).
• Over half (56%) feel that family mealtimes are a thing of the past and worry that they’re in decline.
• However, there is hope with 54% believing that the trend of eating together more often will increase over the next decade, as more focus is placed on family well-being.

Responding to the findings, Elaine McCague, Head of Commercial & Marketing at Heinz, said: “Our founder, Henry J. Heinz, believed the connections we build over meals are as vital as the food itself. And our ‘Heinz Meanz Mealz’ Beanz is about honouring that legacy – supporting Barnardos while also helping families to slow down and connect.”

“The study is showing a clear desire from parents and kids to share and talk more over mealtimes in Ireland, which is why we’re continuing our work with Barnardos to find new ways to bring families together around the table more often, creating a space for conversation, comfort, care and connection.”

To do just this, alongside the sale of the limited-edition ‘Heinz Meanz Mealz’ Beanz packs, Heinz and Barnardos have also teamed up with Clinical Psychologist Dr. Malie Coyne to develop new Cannection Kits. The kits, which include conversation starters and fun, interactive games to play around the dinner table, encourage families to unplug by placing their phones inside a giant Heinz Beanz can, and to get chatting over a delicious Heinz Beanz-based meal.

A limited number of Heinz Beanz Cannection Kits are available to win. All you need to do is visit @heinzirl on Instagram, like the ‘Heinz Meanz Mealz’ post, tag a friend and reshare to win one kit for you and one kit for a friend.

Heinz and Barnardos ambassador, Vogue Williams, has joined the campaign for another year, and is hoping to get Ireland connecting around the dinner table and talking together during mealtimes: “I didn’t have to think twice about partnering with Heinz and Barnardos again this year – supporting vulnerable families in Ireland is something I’m incredibly proud of. Growing up, we always had dinner around the table with the whole family, and now with three kids of my own, I know how hectic mealtimes can be. But they’re still such a valuable moment to connect. That’s why I sit down for dinner at 5pm with the kids. No phones, no screens, just 15–30 minutes of conversation.”

“With Heinz and Barnardos, we’re encouraging families to ‘cannect’ and catch up over something as simple and delicious as beans on toast – and by picking up a special edition three-pack of ‘Heinz Meanz Mealz’ Beanz, you’re also helping support vulnerable families across Ireland.”

Mary Gamble, Director of Communications, Fundraising and Marketing at Barnardos, said: “We are delighted to work with Heinz once again and are grateful for their support for our 56 projects working with vulnerable children across Ireland. Over the last number of years, we’ve created a joint vision to drive long lasting change for some of the most disadvantaged families in Ireland. Families are struggling more than ever, so I encourage everyone who can to purchase a ‘Heinz Meanz Mealz’ Beanz pack in stores.”

NEW three-packs of ‘Heinz Meanz Mealz’ Beanz are available throughout August and September from major retailers such as Dunnes, Tesco, SuperValu and Aldi, as well as convenience stores. RRP €3.59. Prices are at the sole discretion of the retailer.

To find out more about the donation, visit www.barnardos.ie