Three years of data from the Consumer Food Insights survey reveals a clear pattern: households with children eat out more frequently. The average number of weekly food away from home (FAFH) meals is 2.12 for households without children. That number jumps to 3.07 with one child and 3.47 with two children. The frequency remains high for families with three children or more.

These data highlight one way in which households with children engage with the food system differently than households without children. More frequent restaurant meals possibly reflect time constraints on families and parents’ demand for convenience. However, we can see this relationship between household size and FAFH meal relationship is not linear or monotonic. The increase plateaus after two children, hinting at a potential threshold where logistical or financial factors may limit further increases in FAFH frequency.

Understanding these dynamics is important for food service providers, nutrition educators, and policymakers aiming to support family health and food access. As families grow, their reliance on food away from home grows too – highlighting the need for affordable, nutritious options in restaurants and takeout services.