There is a growing movement across North America to promote having families to eat dinner together.
Studies show the sit-down meals are more nutritious and produce children who are less likely to smoke, drink or use drugs.
The Richardson family of Ottawa manages to accomplish the feat seven nights per week, which makes them a rarity.
More than a third of Canadian families say they don't routinely sit down together for dinner.
"We've made a choice, maybe for the children, to do slightly less in the way of outside activities so that we can spend the time together each day," said John Richardson.
A province-wide effort is underway in British Columbia following meetings between nutritionists, school officials, early-childhood experts and staff from the Ministry of Health earlier this year.
The "eat together" project is based on the U.S.-campaign promoted by the Nutrition Network of Washington, which was introduced in 2001.
Studies continually highlight the many benefits of quality time around the supper table.
In addition to reduced drug and alcohol use, a recent study by researchers at the University of Minnesota found teenagers who regularly break bread with their parents are also less apt to take part in risky behaviour such as engaging in sex.
"Project EAT: Eating Among Teens," a long-term study of nearly 5,000 adolescents and their families, showed family meals were linked to "better dietary intake," including eating more fruit and vegetables, drinking less pop and eating less fat, said Professor Dianne Neumark-Sztainer, the project's lead investigator.
Children who regularly eat with their parents have a lower risk of developing eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia, and they're less likely to be overweight, according to the research.
Adolescents also performed better in school.
Other studies also support the claim that a home-cooked meal is the best way to get children to eat a balanced meal. Health experts also point out that the fare is usually less expensive than dining at a restaurant.
Research suggests the family meal does not need to be home-cooked dinner to be beneficial. The simple act of sitting down together without arguing or scolding is what seems to count the most.
In another sign of the growing movement, the Oakland-based Clorox Company, which manufactures food and chemical products, recently launched the website MealsTogether.com. The site offers tips on preparing and hosting family meals.
However, the demands of the modern workplace, especially for lower income people, makes achieving that ideal difficult.
"Many working people, especially in the low income spectrum, have to work more than one job," said Rob Rainer of the National Anti-Poverty Organization. "So they may be working 40, 50, 60 hours a week to earn the income just to meet their basic needs."
With a report from CTV's Rosemary Thompson in Ottawa
