Netmums, a UK parenting platform, and Sorted Food, the global foodie community, have announced the launch of their new joint white paper, Mealtimes Matter: Understanding and Solving the Family Food Crisis in the UK.
The white paper was officially launched at a joint Netmums & Sorted Food event hosted by Sorted Food on Tuesday 27 January 2026, bringing together brands, policymakers, agencies and industry figures to spotlight the lived realities of family mealtimes and call for meaningful action to better support parents and children across the UK.
Netmums says based on research with over 1,000 UK parents, the white paper reveals that feeding families has become one of the most emotionally and practically challenging parts of modern parenting — driven by rising food costs, fussy and sensory-led eating, digital distraction, and growing pressure on parents to “get it right”.
Netmums says the research paints a powerful picture of daily mealtime pressures across the UK:
- 74% of parents of under-3s worry about picky eating
- 52% of parents with children aged 4–10 say their kids refuse to eat vegetables
- 88% say their child is distracted at the table
- Over 50% cook multiple meals each evening to accommodate different preferences or food anxieties
- 32% of parents believe their child has food-related sensory sensitivity
- Nearly half turn to social media for inspiration — but many report feeling judged rather than supported
As one parent told researchers: “Dinner feels more like a negotiation than a family moment.”
Rimi Atwal, managing director at Netmums said: “Parents tell us mealtimes are the hardest part of their day, filled with stress, guilt and exhaustion. Our Mealtimes Matter initiative is about moving away from perfection and towards practical, emotionally intelligent solutions that bring families together and help children build healthier, more positive relationships with food.”
“We want food to feel like a moment of connection, not conflict,” said Barry Taylor, co-founder at Sorted Food. “This research shows just how much pressure families are under — and why it’s so important that brands, educators and policymakers work together to bring joy, curiosity and confidence back to the table.”
At Tuesday’s launch event Netmums Editorial Director, Louise Burke, hosted a panel debate with expert guests including TV star, foodie and mum Ferne McCann, Registered Nutritionist, Charlotte Stirling-Reed, Broadcaster and GP Dr Nighat Arif, TV Chef and author, Shivi Ramoutar and Sorted Food Co-Founder, Jamie Spafford.
In a wide-ranging discussion, panellists reflected on some of the key issues raised by the Mealtimes Matter White Paper.
- The emotional load of feeding a family
Ferne McCann acknowledged the strong emotions associated with feeding a family saying:
‘Food is a form of love…it’s my love language. When my kids are pushing it away, it’s like a dagger to my heart’
- Social media and the pressure of ‘perfect mealtimes’
Ferne also reflected on the pressure parents can feel: ‘When it comes to mealtimes, I do think there is a pressure. You can fall into an Insta hole. I share home-cooked meals. I like to keep it real because I don’t want to present as this ‘everything’s perfect’ when it’s not. I’ve always been real’
- Fussy eating and sensory sensitivities
Dr Nighat Arif highlighted the lack of guidelines for parents determining whether food refusal was down to sensory issues or defiance, saying “We don’t have specific guidelines around it, but I listen to and trust the parents to know their children. Balance is really difficult.”
- The challenges and solutions for making mealtimes joyful
The panel reflected on how they made mealtimes matter in their own family, and how they encouraged their children to try new foods and find joy in eating.
Shivi Ramoutar talked about the power of involving children in the food-making process: ‘My 3 year old helps me prepare a lot of the meals for her brothers.
She’s very proud of it. She’ll say ‘I made this’. And if you’ve made something, you’ll want to eat it’
Dr Nighat Arif acknowledged the pressures of busy family life and the importance of carving out protected moments to connect over a meal: ‘On a Sunday, we sit together and have a brunch. No screen time. That’s our boundary.’
Jamie Spafford of Sorted Food emphasised the importance of role modelling in encouraging children to embrace foods they are resistant to: ‘I will eat foods I don’t like. Olives, peanut butter and smoked salmon. I make sure I do that - so I can ask them to do that.’
- Policy change and increasing support
When asked what needs to change in policy and support systems around family nutrition, Dr Nighat Ari highlighted the importance of a cross-sectional understanding of issues and challenges face. Dr Nighat championed: ‘Different approaches for different communities’
The event was attended by brands, industry experts and campaign groups including Veg Power, The Kids’ Food & Drink Collective and Sustain and the voices in the room called for more support for parents, more extensive and accessible nutrition guidelines and to centre mums and parents in the policy conversation.
Dan Parker, chief executive, Veg Power observed: ‘Mums are the frontlines of the food system but policy makers almost never mention mums. We need to understand what mums need and then put everything in place to help mums succeed. We need to put less burden on mums by creating a society that supports them better.’
Barbara Crowther, campaign manager, Sustain agrees: ‘Parents are trying really hard but the support systems are not around them.’
Jess Mackenzie, founder, The Kids’ Food & Drink Collective highlights the gaps in nutrition guidance: ‘One of the frustrations is that the government guidelines stop at 3. That’s where the problem starts.’
Charlotte Stirling-Reed agrees: ‘If you support parents when they start offering food, you can shape that child’s future relationship to food and their lifelong health. More support would make a huge difference to children, families and the UK as a whole.’
The Mealtimes Matter white paper outlines a new, joined-up approach to family food — combining content, community, education, brand collaboration and policy recommendations, added Netmums.
This includes the continued development of:
- Family Food by Netmums – a judgement-free, expert-led destination offering realistic recipes, sensory-aware guidance and affordable meal solutions grounded in real family life.
- Sorted Kids and Sidekick by Sorted Food – digital tools and playful, confidence-building resources designed to help raise curious, adventurous and capable young eaters.
Together, Netmums and Sorted Food say they are calling on brands, policymakers, agencies and educators to help bridge the gap between food inspiration and food reality — and to invest in solutions that reduce pressure on families while supporting healthier, happier mealtimes.
Netmums Editorial Director, Louise Burke, said: “Netmums and Sorted Food are launching the Mealtimes Matter campaign to bring these important findings into the public conversation. Family mealtimes are much more than just a daily routine — they are emotional touchpoints, health drivers and moments of connection that shape children’s long-term wellbeing. Today, Netmums and Sorted Food are excited to invite partners across FMCG, retail, education, health and policy to join us in creating a cultural shift that moves families from food stress to food confidence — and helps raise a new generation of mindful, curious and healthy eaters.”
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