Family Dinner Project in Indiana Earns National Recognition with Three NEAFCS Awards

The Family Dinner Project in Indiana, an initiative of the Center for Families, received three Central Region awards at the 2026 National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (NEAFCS) Annual Session. The awards were presented September 29 at the Central Region Business Meeting and Awards Breakfast.

• Human Development Family Relationship Award – 2nd Place, Central Region
  “Dinners Across Indiana: Strengthening Relationships Through Connection”
• Family Health and Wellness Award – 3rd Place, Central Region
  “Family Dinners Across Indiana: Promoting Health, Connection, and Well-Being”
• Community Partnership Award – 3rd Place, Central Region
  “Strengthening Families Through Shared Meals: A Community Partnership Model” (Grant County Family Dinner Night)

About the recipients

Mindy Mayes, Purdue Extension Educator in Grant County, led the award submissions. She also submitted the Grant County Family Dinner Night she led, which earned the Community Partnership Award. The submissions drew on data and program work from Extension colleagues who host Family Dinner Project programs and events in their communities, including Benita Ody Ekwonwa, Beth Evans, Jo Gilreath, Carly Holland, Jamie Lowder, Marcia Parcell, Veronica Portillo, Meagan Salomon, Danielle Scott and Pandora Taylor. Leadership and support came from Lisa Graves, assistant program leader for Purdue Extension Health and Human Sciences, and Kelsie Muller, Human Development and Family Science Extension specialist.

Research families can use

Research links regular family meals to stronger relationships, better well-being, higher self-esteem and lower rates of depression and substance use. The Family Dinner Project in Indiana puts that research to work. It gives educators and community partners ready-to-use conversation starters, dinner games, recipes, Spanish-language materials and event guides.

The initiative was launched through CFF’s 30th anniversary, led by Advisory Council chair Joyce Miles, in partnership with The Family Dinner Project and Anne Fishel, PhD. Today, more than 125 partners have used its resources, and partners in 86 Indiana counties have joined the work alongside The Cnter for Families, Purdue Extension Health and Human Sciences, the Purdue Extension Nutrition Education Program, the Indiana Extension Homemakers Association and the Indiana Association for Family and Consumer Sciences.

Interested in bringing family meals to your community? Reach out and let us know: https://purdue.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_29VZS4b3P6zRh4i