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REGULAR FAMILY MEALTIME STRENGTHENS CHILDREN

The Family Tree and Klein's Family Markets partner in Harford County.

Forest Hill, Maryland,  April 22, 2008 - Children who eat three or more meals with their families each week are less likely to smoke, drink, do drugs, get depressed, develop eating disorders and consider suicide, and they are more likely to do well in school, delay having sex, eat their vegetables, learn big words, and know what fork to use (Time Magazine, Nancy Gibbs, 2006). 

The Family Tree, Maryland's leading child abuse prevention organization, is launching a new marketing initiative this April to coincide with Child Abuse Prevention Month.  Its goal is to educate and engage families on the benefits of eating meals together. The initiative, called Mealtime - The Great Family Time, is being sponsored overall by Provident Bank, and Klein's Family Markets of Harford County is partnering with The Family Tree to inform and engage families in Harford County.   

"There is extensive research on the benefits for children who eat four to five meals a week with their families," says Patricia K. Cronin, LCSW-C, Executive Director of The Family Tree. "These children are 40% more likely to get mainly A's and B's in school than kids who have two or fewer family meals a week. Plus, according to a CASA and Columbia University study, children who eat dinner with their families are 20% less likely to drink, smoke or use illegal drugs," she adds.

Beginning in April, Klein's Family Markets is displaying The Family Tree"issue posters," with facts about the benefits of family meals, in their seven grocery stores, as well on the stores' paper shopping bags, on the checkout register screens, and on the Klein's Family Markets web site (www.kleinsonline.com).  In addition, Klein's has sent 70,000 coupons to families in Harford County and neighboring areas of Baltimore County, and will be donating $1 to The Family Tree for EVERY coupon redeemed.

Says Andrew P. Klein, "Since 1925, Klein's Family Markets has been committed to providing the highest quality grocery, dairy, meats and seafood, at the lowest prices, to Harford County families. We are excited to be part of this effort to help build healthy families in our community.  The Family Tree's program will help reinforce the message that the family that eats together, stays together.  Plan a family dinner tonight!"   

All families are busy, so The Family Tree is also providing a simple, quick dinner recipe that parents can take home and prepare with their children.  For more information on how you can get your business or organization involved in Mealtime - The Great Family Time, visit The Family Tree website at www.familytreemd.org or call 410-889-2300.