Country Music Star Martina McBride and Celebrity Chef Mario Batali Promise to "Share the Table"

Barilla Family Dinner Project Helps Families Connect Better and Gives Back to People in Need

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Bannockburn, Ill. /PRNewswire/ — To help encourage families to make the most of dinnertime, Barilla is teaming up with country music star Martina McBride and renowned chef Mario Batali to launch "Share the Table: The Barilla Family Dinner Project" and is inviting American families to make a promise to enhance their dinnertime experiences at www.ShareTheTable.com. Although most people recognize that eating dinner together is an important family activity, a new research study released today by Barilla reveals that American families want better quality dinnertime interactions—with greater conversation and with fewer distractions—as well as better meals that are created with more participation by family members.

The Barilla study, the first to explore the effects of family dinnertime on both adults and children, found that people who eat dinner together more frequently are more likely to be satisfied with every aspect of their lives. Despite the positive effect on their well-being, nearly six in 10 families agree that they don't have as many opportunities to connect with their family or friends as they'd like. Primary obstacles include hectic work schedules, children's schedules and a general lack of time.

But being physically together at the table doesn't necessarily mean that families are "together." The study shows that many families' dining experiences aren't offering the connection they crave. Seven in 10 (69%) report that some other activity competes with the typical family dinner, with watching television topping the list, and six in ten (58%) report some type of technology or entertainment-related distraction.

"Dinner is a time when everyone can come together, cook together, and share together in a truly unguarded atmosphere," said Mario Batali, James Beard Award-winning chef, restaurateur and author of Molto Italiano: 327 Simple Italian Recipes to Cook at Home. "I'm promising to keep dinnertime with my family free of outside distractions. And I'm encouraging all families to learn how getting everyone involved in preparing and enjoying dinner can make a positive difference in their lives."

On www.ShareTheTable.com, people can find more than 100 tips on how a dinner filled with robust conversation, meaningful interactions and flavorful food can better their lives. By registering online, people can discover how Mario and Martina share the table with their families; develop custom weekly dinner plans; get over 700 Barilla recipes as well as exclusive Mario Batali recipes; design custom placemats for their dinner tables; learn from family experts; share their own dinnertime stories and pictures with others and more. Additionally, families can help gauge their current dinnertime experience and receive customized tips to help learn what's going well and how to make changes that will make the experience even better.

"With my busy schedule, I have to be creative about making time for the family to dine together," explains Martina McBride, one of country music's top female vocalists and mother of three. "Now I can share the steps my family takes to make the most of our time together, like keeping a few staples on hand in the pantry and fridge so we can create a quick dinner together even after a late day of work and school. And, I'm promising to help my daughters develop a healthy relationship with food that will stick with them forever."

Helping People Who Can Not "Share the Table"

For each person who promises to "Share the Table," Barilla will donate $1 to Meals On Wheels Association of America (MOWAA), up to $150,000, to support home delivered and congregate meal programs serving more than one million meals per day.

"One in nine seniors is at-risk of hunger in America today," said Enid Borden, President and CEO of MOWAA. "We cannot thank Barilla enough for stepping up to the plate and supporting us in our mission to provide the next meal so no senior goes hungry."

"For more than a century, at the heart of Barilla is a deep belief that food is a joyful, convivial experience, and in everything we make, we express our commitment to bringing that experience to families around the world," said Kirk Trofholz, president of Barilla America, Inc. "Families have invited Barilla into their homes for generations, and now we're inviting them to connect at dinnertime and 'Share the Table.' Join us in making a promise to "Share the Table" today—it's a great way to connect with your family and friends."

To make your promise to "Share the Table," please visit www.ShareTheTable.com.

Martina McBride’s Favorite Pasta Recipe
Barilla® Cheese Manicotti

Ingredients

1 box Barilla® Manicotti
1 jar Barilla® Italian Baking Sauce
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 clove garlic, minced
1 bag (6 ounces) fresh spinach, chopped
2 eggs
1 container (15 ounces) ricotta cheese
1/3 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
1 teaspoon salt
½ cup freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano cheese

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°F.
Cook manicotti for 7 minutes; drain and rinse in cool water. Set aside.
Meanwhile, heat oil in large skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and sauté for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Stir in spinach; continue cooking for 5 minutes. Set aside to cool.
Beat eggs lightly in medium bowl. Stir in ricotta, basil and salt. Stir in spinach.
Spread ¾ cup Italian Baking Sauce over bottom of 13x9 inch baking dish. Fill manicotti with cheese mixture; place in dish. Pour remaining sauce evenly over filled shells; sprinkle with grated cheese. Cover with foil.
Bake for 30 minutes.
Uncover; continue baking 5-10 minutes or until cheese is melted.

Recipe provided by Sharethetable.com, a campaign led by Martina McBride and Chef Mario Batali to inspire and help people have more meaningful dinners together. For every person that visits Sharethetable.com and makes a promise to make family dinnertime a priority, Barilla® will donate $1 to Meals on Wheels, which delivers home-cooked meals to homebound seniors. Simply visit Sharethetable.com and click on Barilla® Cares for details on how to participate.