Family kitchen table conversations turn to environment, with 61 per cent of families talking more about the topic over the last 12 months

Ahead of world environment day tomorrow, new research has revealed that family dinner time conversations now turn to environment, with 61 per cent of families talking more about climate change, plant-based eating and food waste than ever before. And it’s kids driving the conversation – incredibly, almost four in 10 children have tried to persuade their parents to either reduce their meat intake or try a plant-based diet. Family dinner time discussions are focusing on the environment more now than ever before – with the likes of climate change, recycling, plant-based eating and food waste among the hot topics. A study of 2,000 parents by international vegan food brand, The Fry Family Food Co. revealed the usual kitchen table ‘bants’ – such as girlfriends, boyfriends, holidays, football and bathroom etiquette – are still popular topics. But other discussion points including water waste, reducing meat-based meals and pollution are becoming increasingly popular too, as 61 per cent of families talk more about issues affecting the planet. The study found parents and kids are also likely to chat about whether to switch to a plant-based diet, the latest actions of Greta Thunberg and their thoughts on David Attenborough. Incredibly, almost four in 10 children have tried to persuade their parents to either reduce their meat intake or try a plant-based diet. Tammy Fry, International Marketing Director at The Fry Family Food Co, said: “Dinner time at the kitchen table really is a place where families get together to put the world to rights, and our research shows that whilst there’s a breadth of different topics, there’s an increase in family conversation about the environment and the ways in which we can all contribute to a more sustainable lifestyle. “For some families dinner time is the only time of the day where all loved ones can catch up, so it is a great opportunity to debate, have fun, and interact. “It fantastic to see that children are often the ones driving conversation and sharing their thoughts on some of the more serious issues to affect the wider world, from climate change through to the benefits of plant-based eating and influencing their wider family in the process.” The average British family eat around the dinner table four times during the week, one day less than when today’s parents were children. But nine in 10 modern parents say when they do all sit down together, the children are encouraged to talk about anything they like.