HOWELL – Howell Township Schools partnered up with RWJBarnabas Health Institute for Prevention to make April a month for eating together with family.
From April 1-30, Howell schools and RWJBarnabas are encouraging families to have a meal together at least once a week, offering prize incentives for those who submit photos with the hashtag, #howelleatstogether.
According to RWJBarnabas, “Busy school, after school and work schedules often bite into family meal time; yet research shows families who eat together not only eat healthier, but also have better communication skills and better interpersonal relationships.”
The contest aims to encourage healthy lifestyles and healthy relationships between family members. The effects of eating together go beyond communication skills; it can also help improve academic performance, and can reduce substance abuse, depression, eating disorders, and obesity, according to RWJBarnabas.
The meal should not only consist of food, but also of conversation. This is the factor that helps to build up these family relationships.
To enter into the contest, students or family members need to use the hashtag while sharing a photo of the family meal on social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter or Instagram any time until April 30. At the end of the contest, RWJBarnabas will choose a random winner to receive a $100 gift card to a local grocery store.
RWJBarnabas remarks that the contest is also to encourage fun within the family.
