MONTREAL, Canada – Did you know that Canadians eat together as a family, on average, 5 days out of 7? That they love breakfast? That they bring their lunch to work almost every day? And that the vast majority have dinner…while watching television?
These are just a few of the results the RICARDO Media team gathered as part of a major survey undertaken in the fall of 2015 on Canadians’ eating habits. Developed in partnership with Lรฉger Marketing, the study was conducted from coast to coast and involved 3,150 Canadian respondents.
As a chef, TV host, author and entrepreneur, Ricardo wanted to get a clear picture of Canadians’ habits at home and around the family dinner table, as well as at the grocery store and the office.
“Since the launch of our English magazine, we’ve been giving our audience rich and varied content covering everything to do with food,” says Ricardo. “For us, it was essential to continue to provide recipes and tips that truly reflect the needs of Canadian families. Thanks to this survey, we’re that much closer to their everyday reality. The results also allow us to work in accordance with real-world facts and statistics, as well as keep up with the latest trends.”
The RICARDO Media team has produced an in-depth special feature in which the 14 major findings on Canadians’ eating habits identified in the study will be released.
As part of this major report, RICARDO will also present a revealing province-by-province breakdown. Who are the most dedicated carnivores? Who’s the most concerned about the environment? The biggest wine drinkers? The results are both entertaining and surprising.
To better understand the results of the survey and place them in context, the team also consulted three experts, whose analysis is featured in the issue:
โข David Suzuki: Co-founder of the David Suzuki Foundation, award-winning scientist, environmentalist and broadcaster
โข Anita Stewart: Member of the Order of Canada, University of Guelph Food Laureate, author and Food Day Canada founder
โข Jean-Pierre Lemasson: Food sociologist, author and former associate professor at Universiteฬ du Queฬbec aฬ Montreฬal
Here’s a sneak peek at some of the results that will be unveiled:
WOMEN STILL PLAY A LEADING ROLE IN THE KITCHEN
In 3 out of 4 households, women are responsible for food purchases. And women prepare the majority of suppers
WE’RE UP FOR BREAKFAST
72% of Canadians have breakfast almost every morning
WE NEVER LEAVE HOME WITHOUT IT (OR ALMOST NEVER)
2/3 of Canadians bring their lunch to work most of the time
WE LEAVE IT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE
65% of households decide what they’ll have for supper the day of. And rush hour for decision time is between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m.
FAMILIES EAT TOGETHER 5 DAYS OUT OF 7
2/3 of Canadians feel that’s enough, but 1/4 of them wish it could be more often