Fazer studied changes to everyday meals: More than half the country is missing out on satisfying everyday meals
Changes in working life and in daily rhythms are also changing everyday meals and what is expected of them. On the other hand, everyday meals are hugely important to both mental and physical well-being. The latest Fazer study* shows that less than half (48%) of people in Finland are satisfied with their everyday mealtimes.
Eating affects everything we do and all we are. It is the foundation of physical health, and eating times are increasingly an important break in the middle of a busy day. And this is what people want meals to be. More than 80 per cent of Finns feel that lunchtimes and other breaks provide an important breather from work. Despite this, however, a recent study by Fazer* shows that less than half (48 per cent) of people in Finland are satisfied with their everyday mealtimes.
“The importance of food to well-being goes far beyond the food on the plate. We want more and more people to enjoy delicious and healthy food, in all phases of their lifespan. As a major player, we have the opportunity – and the responsibility – to bring this about”, says Jaana Korhola, Managing Director of Fazer Food Services Finland.
An ideal meal is relaxed and includes delicious food in a pleasant setting
The study shows that almost half of the people in Finland over the age of fifteen eat lunch at least once a week outside of the home, and one in six eat outside of the home every working day. What is most wanted from an ideal meal is calm; this is what 49 per cent of respondents desired most. The next most important things are delicious food and a pleasant environment.
Fazer is extensively renewing its restaurants in Finland at the moment. The new Fazer Food & Co restaurants are designed to support creativity and coping at work. The familiar Amica restaurants focus on taking care of children’s energy levels and learning, as well as the zest for life and well-being of elderly people.
Food for the brain and body
According to the study, women and those who have their lunch in restaurants place particular importance on healthy eating. Students who eat at school and those who eat in workplace restaurants have the most trust in the food served promoting vigour and well-being.
“Food has a clear link to cognitive performance. The brain needs a certain kind of nutrition to remain healthy and to enable people to learn new things. We at Fazer are researching and applying this information in our extensive international Fazer Brainhow programme,” explains Jaana Korhola.
As working life changes, eating is becoming increasingly “café and snack style”, since working life is shifting away from the usual places and times. A growing trend is that lunch restaurants are expected to provide food to take home at the end of the working day (with 51 per cent of respondents wanting to see this change). Workers who would most appreciate such a service are in the 25–34 age bracket.
* “Suomalaisten arjen ateriat”, an online study into Finnish daily meals, was commissioned by Fazer and was carried out at the end of August 2017. A total of 1,000 people in Finland over the age of 15 responded to the survey, and the sample is representative of the country as a whole. The study was carried out by Evidens Oy.
Further information:
Fazer’s media phone line is open Mon–Fri from 8 am to 4 pm, tel.+358 40 6682 998
Hanna Halmela, Insight Manager, Evidens Oy, tel. +358 50 566 5523, hanna.halmela@evidens.fi
Fazer Group
Fazer is an international family-owned company offering quality bakery, confectionery, biscuit and grain products as well as food and café services. Fazer operates in eight countries and exports to around 40 countries. Fazer’s mission is Food with a purpose. Fazer’s success, ever since its establishment in 1891, has been based on the best product and service quality, beloved brands, the passion of its skilful people and the Group’s responsible ways of working. In 2016, Fazer Group had net sales of 1.6 billion euros and nearly 15,000 employees. Fazer’s operations comply with ethical principles that are based on the Group’s values and the UN Global Compact.
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