Gather 'round the dinner table

  • Published
MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan --  Commissary officials urge military families to enjoy a meal together often, but especially on Sept. 24, to support Family Day, a national movement that encourages parental involvement in the lives of their children as a way of decreasing the odds of substance abuse.

"Sharing a meal with someone is an age-old way of communicating cultural values and norms," said Jack Younger, Misawa store director. "Eating together feeds the soul as well as the stomach. It's the perfect opportunity for parents to transmit their beliefs and expectations about life choices to their children, and your commissary certainly supports military moms and dads as they rise to the daily challenge of bringing up healthy, well-adjusted young adults."

The Family Day initiative was founded by CASA, The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University.  According to Joseph A. Califano, Jr., CASA chairman and president, "Parents are the most potent and underused tool in preventing substance abuse." 

The center's 2006 report found that compared to kids who have fewer than three family dinners per week, children and teens who have frequent family dinners together are at 70 percent lower risk for substance abuse, are one third less likely to try alcohol, half as likely to try cigarettes or marijuana and half as likely to get drunk monthly. 

Commissary patrons are encouraged to participate in Family Day with a gift certificate sweepstakes, underwritten by Family Day national sponsor The Coca-Cola Company.

"During the month of September, our Misawa patrons can enter to win a commissary gift certificate to help defray the cost of groceries for family meals," said Mr. Younger. "Your store will have a ballot box and entry forms near the Coke display."

Your commissary and Coca-Cola are also collaborating on the production of special Family Day recipe cards to inspire moms and dads to make dinner from scratch, a healthier option than fast-food, and drive-through meals.

"Your commissary places special emphasis on health and wellness," said Maj. Karen Fauber, DeCA dietitian. "And Family Day presents a unique opportunity to extend that message. Eat a homemade dinner with the family to gain a lasting rapport with your children and enjoy the physical and mental benefits you're sure to get from eating a healthier meal made from scratch."

For more information on Family Day, visit the official Web site at: 
http://www.casafamilyday.org/index.html.