Around the Family Table: Why Should Families Eat Together?
If you come to Ferrell Farms around meal time, you find us cooking for at least five mouths, usually more, because we have an open table policy. You never arrive at Ferrell Farms around meal time without being asked to eat with us. So come on over--there’s plenty of food.Eating together is a priority to us. Not because we think we are awesome and more capable, but because we know something a lot of people in America don’t know and don’t value.Kids and teens who share a family dinner together:
- Are less likely to be overweight
- Are more likely to eat healthy foods
- Perform better academically
- Are less likely to engage in risky behaviors (drugs, alcohol, sexual activity)
- Have a better relationship with their parents*
Farmer Adam and I both grew up in families that ate together at the table. It wasn’t perfect and boy, neither were we! However, we didn’t end up too bad, and we have values instilled in us that run deep with family values. These are things kids are hungry for (pun intended). This generation, they need this! They need it so bad!In a world filled with screens and hatred, let’s fill our homes with food, fellowship, laughter and fun. Meals together are a really simple way to connect daily and engaged with our tribes. Kids or no kids, spouse or no spouse, we should be breaking bread with our people just as we saw Jesus and his disciples breaking bread together.When something amazing happened in the Bible, we saw them celebrate with feasts! Living each day with our people, doing life together--that is worth celebrating. It doesn’t have to be a BIG feast, but even something as simple as macaroni and cheese with hot dogs (a Ferrell Farms Favorite) will suffice.Here’s what we know: eating together benefits kids and adults alike by reducing stress. Offering healthier choices leads to greater happiness, encourages better behavior and better grades.**This, my friends, is a great priority! This "Around the Family Table" series will help you see how easy it really can be and remind you why it should be a great priority for you and yours. Until then, we will be here living out our faith with abundant grace and our little tribe on Ferrell Farms.
They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts.
~ Acts 2:46*The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University**9 Scientifically Proven Reasons to Eat Dinner as Family