Bakkavor : Sunday Dinner Replaces Sunday Lunch as the Great British Meal-time

Having the in-laws round for a long Sunday lunch with the family may soon be a thing of the past. New research shows that Sunday dinner has replaced Sunday lunch as the key shared meal-time of the week when family members sit down and share food together.

Nationally, the Bakkavor poll of 2,000 adults revealed that less than one in four households still has a traditional family Sunday lunch (23%). In contrast, more than one in two families (53%) say they have now made Sunday dinner the main sit-down meal of the week.

The Sunday switch to a sit-down dinner comes at a time when, through the week, the evening meal has become the primary meal-time when family members are most likely to spend time together. Overall, 66% of families said they tended to share a food with their family in the evening, whilst the notion of a shared lunch or breakfast is becoming less common (42% and 39% respectively). However, 58% of families said they never sat down to enjoy lunch with members of their household.

% that sit down with their family at this meal time	% that never sit down with their family any day of the week
Breakfast	39%	61%
Lunch	42%	58%
Dinner	66%	34%

Shared meals or shared meal occasions?

Not only is Sunday dinner replacing Sunday lunch, but the Bakkavor research also suggests the traditional family roast may also be on the way out. Changing work routines, specialist diets and ethical considerations mean that fewer families are sharing the same food when they do actually sit down to share a meal. In 50% of households, people are preparing an average of three or more different meals for family mealtimes. Further, in 12% of households, people claimed to eat different meals to their family members every day of the week.

What is driving the demise of a shared family meal?

• Age: A growing trend with young people, nationally, 37% of people aged under 35 said that, at least four days a week, they would eat different meals to their housemates or family members. This compares to 22% of those aged over 50.

• Work habits: For the growing number of people that work shifts outside the 9-to-5 norm, 42% said they eat different meals to household members at least four days a week.

• Diet: People with dietary requirements are far more likely to have different meals to other members of their household (78%).

Mike Edwards, Chief Operating Officer UK, at Bakkavor said: 'In theory, the lockdown era gave people more time at home to enjoy the company of family members. In practice, varying work routines, study commitments and leisure interests mean people are having meals at different times at home - and this will only accelerate as we fully re-emerge from COVID restrictions. Add to this dietary requirements, ethical considerations and people's freedom to like what they like - and we also see the demise of people sitting down to share the same meal. It's relatively rare for a family to go to a restaurant and order the same meal from the menu and this is also playing out in the modern home. At Bakkavor we are working with our supermarket partners to create food for modern living, helping give people access to the food they love, when are where they want it.'

For more information, images or to arrange interviews, contact:

Guy Bellamy - Tel: [phone]

Email: [e-mail]

Jemima Woods - Tel [phone]

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Notes to editor

The research was conducted by MaruBlue for Bakkavor among a nat rep sample of 2,095 adults. The survey was conducted online.

About Bakkavor

Bakkavor is the leading provider of fresh prepared food ('FPF') in the UK, with a growing international presence in the US and China. The Group is the number one by market share in the UK in the four FPF product categories of meals, salads, desserts and pizza & bread, providing high-quality, fresh, healthy and convenient food. Its customers include some of the UK's leading grocery retailers, including Tesco, Marks & Spencer, Sainsbury's and Waitrose. The Group's International segment operates in the US and China. As these FPF markets continue to grow, Bakkavor seeks to leverage its UK expertise in order to build its presence in these territories. Bakkavor was founded in 1986 and has its headquarters in London. The Group has over 19,000 employees and operates 23 factories in the UK, 5 in the US and 9 in China.