Family Dinner Night Brings Grant County Community Together

On a cozy evening, Purdue Extension Grant County partnered with The Training Center to host a Family Dinner Night inspired by The Family Dinner Project. The event welcomed 23 families, 101 participants in total, including 49 adults and 52 children, for an evening of connection, conversation, and healthy eating.

table set with water bottles, worksheets, in the center is bowl of fruit, plate and veggies. In background is three other tables set the same in a gym setting.

Thanks to funding from the CFF Purdue Extension Program Support Grant, which supports HHS Extension programs that work directly with communities, this event aimed to strengthen family bonds, encourage meaningful mealtime conversation, and provide practical strategies for enjoyable shared meals at home.

Families began the evening with healthy appetizers designed to encourage teamwork. Each table shared a vegetable platter and worked together to create a rainbow fruit salad, which they then enjoyed as a group. Every participant received the recipe and tips for recreating it at home. Many families said this hands-on activity was a highlight of the night. One participant shared, “It was fun to create a small appetizer that the kids could make,” showing the joy of cooking together.

After appetizers, families explored the importance of regular family meals and intentional conversation at the table. Each table was provided with conversation starters, which sparked thoughtful discussions while families waited for dinner. Participants appreciated the opportunity to connect with other families and said the prompts helped them engage with their children in new ways.

The main dinner included turkey donated by Horner’s Butcher Block, mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, green beans, and corn casserole. The room was filled with warmth and laughter, creating a lively, relaxed atmosphere that strengthens family relationships. Following dinner, families enjoyed desserts such as pumpkin fluff and apple crisp while parents discussed strategies for making family meals more fun, stress-free, and meaningful.

Practical Takeaways and Parent Insights

Parents identified common challenges to regular family meals, including busy schedules, picky eaters, uncertainty about what to cook, and family stress. They also left with practical strategies for home, including:

  • Prepping meals together as a family
  • Using conversation starters to spark discussion
  • Letting children help with appetizers
  • Creating fun, kid-friendly meals like fruit salad
  • Sharing what they are thankful for at the table

Positive Outcomes

  • 100 percent of families committed to having at least one family dinner per week
  • 10 families planned to increase the number of meals shared together
  • Nearly 90 percent learned new ways to make family meals engaging

Participants shared glowing feedback. One said, “Setup was perfect, food was amazing, and activities were good.” Another said, “We enjoyed dinner, dessert, kids laughing and playing.”

Family Dinner Night showed the power of shared meals to strengthen family connections and create meaningful experiences. Insights from the event will guide future programming to better support families and adapt activities for children.

Room full of people, sitting at tables, sharing a meal and talking.

The event aligns with the mission of The Family Dinner Project, which helps families connect, communicate, and enjoy meals together. By offering practical tools, hands-on experiences, and opportunities for conversation, Family Dinner Night gave families both new skills and lasting memories.

Submitted by:
Mindy Mayes, Health and Human Sciences Extension Educator
Purdue Extension Grant County