Libby's Vegetables and Country Music Star Sara Evans Encourage Families to Eat Better, Together This September

Libby's Vegetables and Country Music Star Sara Evans Encourage Families to Eat Better, Together This September

- Five Moms and Sara Evans Serve Up Home-cooking at South Street Seaport in New York -

MARION, N.Y., Sept. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- This month, Libby's Vegetables and RCA Recording Artist, Sara Evans, are helping busy families connect offline during Get Back to the Table Month -- a national celebration of the many benefits of family dinnertime. While eating at home ranks first on the list of "Top Food Trends for 2009"(1) thanks in part to the soft economy, the social benefits of family dinnertime are more enduring reasons to share a meal.

Beyond saving food dollars, a number of studies show family bonding at the dinner table has benefits for children -- time spent together can reduce drug use(2), lead to better nutrition(3), encourage confidence(4) and promote success in the classroom(5). Routine family meals also lead to lasting healthy eating habits. A study found that teens who ate most meals with their families reported more healthful diets in their early 20s, such as eating more fruits and vegetables and consuming more fiber, potassium and magnesium, than their peers(6).

"This is Libby's second year celebrating Get Back to the Table Month and leading the charge to remind parents of the importance of family dinnertime," said Bruce Wolcott, Vice President of Marketing, Seneca Foods Corporation. "We want to encourage families to turn off the TV, video games and cell phones and share some family time. At GetBacktotheTable.com, we're helping parents by offering timesaving recipes, tips and tools, as well as advice from busy mom Sara Evans."

Five Families Dish Up Dinnertime Favorites

Country superstar Sara Evans is celebrating Get Back to the Table Month, on Tuesday, September 15, at the Libby's Get Back to the Table Tent at New York City's South Street Seaport. Evans will be making a special appearance to meet fans and judge five original dishes prepared by finalists of the Libby's Table-gating Recipe Contest.

"Dinnertime is the most important part of the day in our household because it is about connecting as a family -- it's our chance to enjoy a home-cooked meal and each other's company," explains Sara Evans. "When we're not on the road, I enjoy cooking for my family of nine. I often rely on recipes that I've learned from others, including my mom and sisters. That's why I'm excited to taste the dishes that the contestants enjoy serving their own families."

During the Libby's Table-gating Recipe Contest, which was held at five speedways and on GetBacktotheTable.com this spring, five lucky finalists were chosen to fly to New York City to put their cooking skills to the test. One grand prize winner with the best tasting recipe will receive a family trip to Daytona Beach, Florida. Throughout the day, New Yorkers can visit the Libby's Get Back to the Table tent to meet the finalists, sample delicious recipes using Libby's vegetables, score coupons and hear new music from Sara Evans -- in addition to getting an autographed photo of Sara!

To learn more about Get Back to the Table Month, the winners of the Libby's Table-gating Contest and to hear Sara Evans' modern version of the iconic Libby's jingle, visit GetBacktotheTable.com.

About Libby's Vegetables

Libby's Vegetables, the nation's third largest brand of canned vegetables, has been a staple on American dinner tables since the 1880s. With more than 60 different varieties, it offers among the industry's most complete lines of canned vegetables, including new Libby's Naturals, with no added sugar or salt, Libby's Organics, and Libby's Gourmet. Since 1983, Libby's Vegetables have been produced and distributed by Marion, NY-based Seneca Foods Corporation, an independent, publicly-traded, fully integrated food processing company. For more information on Libby's and Seneca Foods, visit SenecaFoods.com, and for information on Libby's Get Back to the Table mission visit GetBacktotheTable.com.

(1) International Food Futurists, "Top Ten Food Trends for 2009," Feb. 2009

(2) National Survey of American Attitudes on Substance Abuse XII: Teens and Parents, Aug. 2007

(3) Lason, NI, et. al. Family Meals during Adolescence Are Associated with Higher Diet Quality and Healthful Meal Patterns during Young Adulthood. J Am Diet Assoc, 2007; 107(9):1502-1510

(4) Bohanek J, et al. Family Narrative Interaction and Children's Self-Understanding. The Emory Center for Myth and Ritual in American Life Working Paper No. 34, 2004

(5) National Survey of American Attitudes on Substance Abuse XII: Teens and Parents, Aug. 2007

(6) Journal of the American Dietetic Association, Sept. 2007

Source: Libby's Vegetables

CONTACT: Iya Bleyman for Libby's Vegetables, +1-646-935-4206,
iya.bleyman@ketchum.com

Web Site: http://www.senecafoods.com/

-------
Profile: intent