Jewel-Osco® 'Back-to-Routine Survey' Shows Chicago Parents Most Concerned About Money, Time, Healthy Foods

ITASCA, Ill., Sept. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- As families in the Chicago area fall back into their school-year routines, a new national "Back-to-Routine Survey" sponsored by JEWEL-OSCO and its parent company, SUPERVALU®, has found that when it comes to mealtime, Chicago-area parents are most concerned about saving money and time, and providing nutritious foods for their families that will fit into their budgets.

Here are some of the interesting findings from the inaugural "Back-to-Routine Survey" specific to families in Chicago:

• Pinching pennies: Sixty-three percent of parents in the Windy City listed "saving money" as their top food-related concern heading into the new school year. This was followed in order by "finding healthy foods on a budget" (58 percent); "making mealtime preparation easier" (46 percent); and "being better prepared for meals" (38 percent).
• Kids on their own for breakfast: Of all the individual markets surveyed, Chicago had one of the highest percentages of parents who said that they do not serve their children breakfast before school. Sixty-nine percent of children in Chicago make breakfast for themselves, compared with 54 percent nationwide.
• What's to eat? Kids' choice: Approximately 70 percent of parents in Chicago said that their kids have a lot or some influence on the meals they make.
• Spinning wheels or microwave kings and queens: When asked to describe the type of meal preparers they are, 49 percent of parents in Chicago see themselves as a "spinning wheel" — someone who doesn't mind cooking but always seems to make the same four or five things. The city also is home to the significantly highest percentage of self-proclaimed "microwave kings or queens," compared to the national population and the other individual markets surveyed.
• What's for breakfast?: In Chicago and the United States as a whole, approximately 88 percent of parents typically serve their school-age children cereal for breakfast, making this the number one morning food choice. Other top considerations for breakfast for children in Chicago, in rank order, include bread products, such as toast, bagels and English muffins; pancakes, waffles or French toast; dairy products, including milk, yogurt and cheese; eggs; and fruit or fruit juice.
• Lunchtime: Approximately 25 percent of parents in Chicago personally pack a bag lunch for their school-age children every day during the school week. About 35 percent of kids eat their lunch at school.
• What's for lunch?: Sandwiches are by far the most common item in children's bag lunches, followed by fruit or fruit juices, salty snacks such as potato chips, and cookies or other dessert items. Only 44 percent of parents in Chicago say they include vegetables in their children's bag lunches.
• Among Chicago-area parents who pack bag lunches for their children, 49 percent say they do so to save money. Nearly 40 percent of parents say that it gives them peace of mind knowing what their children are eating.
• Unusual lunch bag items: While most parents pack the usual fare in their children's lunch bags, there are the occasional surprises. Among the crazy things that Chicago-area kids have found in their lunch bags are a sock and a dog treat (both by accident), pickles wrapped in ham, leftover restaurant food and a flower.
• After-school snacks: Fruit or fruit juices are the top-ranked after-school snacks in the Chicago-area, with 64 percent of parents offering their children these options, which are followed by salty snacks such as potato chips and crackers; dairy products; and cookies or other dessert items.
• Spending on food: When asked if the amount spent on food this year has changed, compared with the prior year, 67 percent of Chicago-area parents reported that they are spending about the same. Nearly a quarter of Chicago parents say they are spending more.
• Dining together: Forty-six percent of Chicago-area parents say they sit down to dinner with their children every night of the school week. This compares with 52 percent of parents nationally who say they dine together with their children every night.
• Meal inspiration: Among Chicago-area parents, 60 percent say they rely on their friends and family for meal inspiration. Other top sources of meal inspiration include cookbooks (58 percent), the Internet (41 percent) and magazines/newspapers (39 percent).

About JEWEL-OSCO

JEWEL-OSCO, a SUPERVALU company, operates 182 stores in Illinois, Iowa and Indiana. With a market-leading position in Chicago, JEWEL-OSCO stores offer consumers the convenience of combined grocery and pharmacy retail, in addition to services such as fuel centers at select locations. Originally established in 1899, the company and its associates remain committed to the communities they serve. For more information about JEWEL-OSCO, please visit www.jewelosco.com or www.jeweloscopharmacies.com.

SOURCE JEWEL-OSCO