Eat Together Idaho
Eat Together Idaho (ETI) is a campaign from the Idaho Office of Drug Policy (ODP) that encourages families to eat regular meals to prevent underage drinking and youth substance use. Studies show that eating together as a family is one of the best ways to improve family functioning. Additionally, teens who eat frequent family dinners (more than 3 per week) have higher grades and self-esteem and are significantly less likely to use alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, or misuse prescription drugs.
Get Involved in ETI Campaign's Annual Initiatives
Fall/Winter Campaign: Idaho Family Dinner Initiative
September-December
Research has found that frequent family dinners can increase happiness and lower rates of depression and substance use among teens. Eating together may protect children and youth from poor mental health and risky behaviors by providing a regular and comforting context to check in with parents about their day-to-day activities and connect with them emotionally. That’s why ODP encourages prevention partners to join the Idaho Family Dinner Initiative and celebrate family meals in their communities each Fall, from September through December.
Want to get involved? Prevention partners that order free Family Dinner Meal Guides to distribute in their communities are eligible to receive a stipend to organize a Family Dinner event or activity. Examples of activities include: hosting a community dinner, planning group/family dinner activities for program participants, assembling free meal kits, organizing photo or recipe contests, etc.
To order Family Dinner Meal Guides and/or request a stipend, please complete the ETI Family Dinner Initiative Activity Form.
You can learn more about the Eat Together Idaho campaign at www.eattogetheridaho.org
Additional Family Dinner Resources
The Family Dinner Project - a nonprofit initiative started in 2010, champions family dinners as an opportunity for family members to connect with each other through food, fun and conversation about things that matter. Visit www.thefamilydinnerproject.org to find recipes, conversation starters, family activities, and multitudes of other resources.
The FMI Family Meals Movement - launched by the Food Marketing Institute, the FMI Family Meals Movement has an abundance of research-based information on the benefits of regular family meals and recipes and resources to help communities and families join the movement. Visit www.fmi.org/family-meals-movement to learn more.
Spring Campaign: Idaho Family Breakfast Initiative
March-May
Studies show that kids and teens who regularly eat a nutritious breakfast do better in school, experience improved mental health, and are less likely to smoke tobacco or drink alcohol. Additionally, parents regularly eating breakfast is one of the most influential factors on whether or not teens will eat breakfast as well. That’s why ODP encourages prevention partners to join the ETI campaigns Family Breakfast Initiative this Spring! The Initiative kicks off with National School Breakfast Week (NSBW) – which will take place March 3-7, 2025 – and goes through May.
Want to get involved? Prevention partners that order free Idaho Family Breakfast Meal Guides to distribute in their communities are eligible to receive a stipend to organize a NSBW and/or Family Breakfast Initiative event or activity. To order Family Breakfast Meal Guides and/or request a stipend, please complete the ETI Family Breakfast Initiative/National School Breakfast Week Activity Form.
Additionally, the School Nutrition Association provides an abundance of free support materials for partners interested in participating in NSBW, including logos, artwork, toolkits, handouts, and marketing and promotional resources. Learn more about NSBW and how to utilize these resources to celebrate in your community here.