Parents dedicate an average of 432 hours per year to meal planning and preparation for their school-aged children, according to a survey commissioned by izzio artisan bakery and conducted by Talker Research. This equates to approximately 12 hours spent each week on food-related tasks.

Weekly Time Allocation

The weekly time investment includes an average of three hours for meal planning, three hours for grocery shopping, two hours for packing school lunches, and four hours for cooking. The study, which surveyed 2,000 parents of children aged 5 to 17, highlights the considerable effort involved in keeping families nourished.

The Challenge of Picky Eaters

Adding to the complexity, 71% of parents reported that their children are picky eaters. This often leads to parents modifying meals more than half the time (56%) by swapping sides or omitting ingredients to appeal to their children's preferences. Finding foods that satisfy the entire family is a common struggle, with 58% of parents finding it difficult.

Food Quality and Preferences

Beyond taste, ingredient consciousness is a priority for parents, with 74% reporting they are more mindful of food quality than ever. Sourdough bread emerged as a popular choice, cited by 44% of parents as their child's favorite, 46% as their family's favorite, and 56% as their own favorite.

Illustration of a survey about favorite bread types, showing 44% of parents said sourdough is their child's favorite bread, 46% said it's their entire family's favorite, and 56% said it's their own favorite.

Sara Kafadar, chief commercial officer at izzio artisan bakery, noted the demanding nature of feeding a family, stating, "As any parent knows, keeping a family well-fed can feel like a job in itself. Between balancing picky eaters and high-quality food choices, it’s not easy."

School Lunch Hurdles and Solutions

Key challenges for school lunches include finding foods children will eat (34%), keeping lunches interesting (34%), and minimizing food waste (30%). Parents estimate that 68% of packed lunches are consumed, with 32% going to waste.

Sandwiches are identified as a reliable solution, with 80% of parents calling them a "lunchbox hero" due to their general acceptance by children. The most favored sandwich fillings for children are ham and turkey, both at 47%, followed by chicken at 40%. Preferred toppings include cheese (60%), mayonnaise (51%), and lettuce (45%).

Illustration of an infographic showing how parents spend an average of 12 hours each week on meal prep: 3 hours on meal planning, 2 hours on packing school lunches, 3 hours on grocery shopping, and 4 hours on cooking.

The survey was conducted online between June 22 and June 29, 2026.