Category: In the Community

Family meals are about so much more than what is on the dinner table.

September is National Family Meals Month, a time to celebrate something that can feel surprisingly hard to fit into busy schedules, sitting down and sharing a meal together.

There is plenty to talk about when it comes to balanced meals and healthy eating habits, but we would like to make a different argument.

The most important thing on the dinner table is not the food.

It is the people sitting around it.

Years from now, most of us probably will not remember exactly what was served on a random Tuesday night. But we remember the moments that happened around the table.

We remember family stories. Laughing until someone could barely catch their breath. Hearing Grandpa tell the same story for what felt like the hundredth time. Learning how to make Mom’s famous casserole. Conversations that lasted long after the plates were empty.

The dinner table has always been about more than dinner.

Why Are Family Meals Important?

Life is busy.

Sports practices, school activities, work schedules, homework, errands, and everything else competing for our attention can make sitting down together feel harder than it should.

But family meals do not have to happen every night to matter. They do not need matching place settings, homemade bread, or a picture perfect dining room.

They just need people.

Sharing a meal gives everyone a chance to slow down and reconnect. It is where kids can talk about school, parents can hear what is really going on in their lives, traditions can be passed down, and new inside jokes can begin.

The meal itself might only last 30 minutes. The memories can stick around much longer.

And making those moments happen can be simpler than you think.

1. Keep Family Meals Simple

Not every dinner needs to be a masterpiece.

Tacos. Spaghetti. Soup and sandwiches. Breakfast for dinner. A rotisserie chicken with a couple of favorite sides.

Sometimes the meals that require the least fuss leave the most room for actually enjoying the people around the table.

Keep a few family favorites in your regular rotation and stock your kitchen with the ingredients you reach for most. When the week gets busy, you will already have a few answers to the question, “What’s for dinner?”

2. Get Everyone Involved

Dinner does not have to fall on one person.

Let the kids choose between two meals for the week. Have someone set the table while someone else washes produce or grabs drinks. Older kids can help prep ingredients or take charge of a simple side.

It does not have to be perfectly organized. Getting everyone involved makes dinner feel less like another task and more like something you are doing together.

3. Give the Phones a Break

For 30 minutes, let the text wait. Let the email wait. Let whatever is happening online wait.

Put the phones somewhere else and give the people sitting across from you your attention.

It sounds simple, but sometimes removing the distractions is all it takes for a real conversation to get started.

4. Ask Questions That Actually Get People Talking

“How was your day?” usually gets one answer.

“Fine.”

Try asking something that is a little harder to answer with one word.

What made you laugh today?

What was the best thing that happened this week?

What is something you learned that surprised you?

If you could eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?

You never really know where the conversation will go, and that is part of the fun.

5. Forget About the Perfect Family Dinner

Some nights will be rushed. Someone will complain about what is being served. A drink will spill. Practice will run late. Dinner might come out of a box.

That is real life.

The goal is not a perfect family meal. The goal is making time for each other when you can.

Progress matters more than perfection, and sometimes pizza around the kitchen counter can be every bit as meaningful as a homemade Sunday dinner.

Celebrate National Family Meals Month Together

This September, National Family Meals Month is a good reason to try adding just one more meal together to your week.

Keep the menu simple. Grab the foods your family loves. Sit down, ask a good question, tell an old story, and stay at the table a few minutes longer.

At The Market, we are proud to be part of the everyday moments that happen around your table. From fresh ingredients and family favorites to quick dinner solutions for the busiest nights, we are here to help you spend a little less time worrying about what is for dinner and a little more time enjoying who is there.

Because years from now, you may not remember what was on the menu.

But you just might remember who was sitting beside you.

Why shopping local matters goes beyond just convenience—it’s about supporting the heartbeat of your community. At The Market, our shelves are stocked with more than just groceries—they’re filled with stories, hometown pride, and deep roots in the communities we serve. From our very first store in Ridgway, Colorado, to our growing family of locations across seven states, one thing remains the same: our passion for good food and our commitment to the people around us.

Each of our stores reflects the heart of its neighborhood. Whether it’s nestled in the mountains, rooted in rich history, or providing small towns with the essentials they need most, The Market is more than a grocery store—it’s a local staple.

A Market as Unique as Your Town

In Rangely, we’ve created a hybrid grocery-hardware store to give smaller communities more of what they need, all in one stop. Over in Divide, CO, we’re lucky to sit just minutes from the stunning Mueller State Park. After a day of hiking or horseback riding, locals swing by our store to stock up for dinner.

Cripple Creek brings the gold rush to life with its deep mining history—and we’re proud to be part of a town still rich in character. In Laughlin, NV, we’ve earned the title of best meat market in the tri-state area nine years in a row. Why? Because we care about the quality our customers deserve.

In McGregor, MN, our humble beginnings as a butcher shop turned into a full-service store—thanks to the town that believed in us. Fun fact: 15 local nonprofits purchase meat from us weekly for Minnesota’s famous meat raffles (yes, it’s a real thing—look it up!).

Homegrown Pride and Local Flavor

Longfellow Market in Minneapolis is truly a neighborhood gem. With over 300 items from Minnesota producers, it celebrates everything local, flavorful, and fresh. Meanwhile, our Heber, AZ location welcomes guests year-round, especially those escaping the Salt River Valley’s summer heat to enjoy life in the White Mountains.

Our store in St. Johns recently received a full remodel—adding over 1,000 new products to better serve the community. It’s just one of the ways we invest back into the places we call home.

And let’s not forget Redwood Falls, located next to the largest municipal park in Minnesota. Surrounded by waterfalls, trails, and even a zoo, our store is perfectly placed to fuel your adventures or quiet family gatherings.

In Sidney, MT, our store is personal. It’s where our owner Darin grew up shopping with his grandparents. That same sense of tradition is what we strive to offer every family who walks through our doors.

Then there’s Lovell, WY—home to the powerful WWII Memorial housed right inside our store. It’s a tribute to local heroes, a reminder of our deep connection to history, and just one example of how our stores are intertwined with the legacy of their towns.

And of course, there’s Ridgway—where it all began. Our very first store, and the heart of The Market. This is where our journey began and where our mission to serve communities through quality food and heartfelt connection was born. What started as one small-town grocery store has inspired a growing family of Markets across the Mountain West and Mid-West.

Why Shopping Local Matters

When you shop at The Market, you’re not just supporting a grocery store. You’re supporting jobs in your community, uplifting local producers, and helping us continue to serve you in personalized, meaningful ways.

We’re proud of what makes each of our stores different, and even prouder of what brings them together: a shared commitment to quality, service, and connection.

Come See What Makes Us Different

Whether you’re visiting a store with a deli, a liquor section, a hardware aisle, or a killer meat counter, one thing is true across every location: You’re sure to find quality here.

Visit our Store Locator to find your neighborhood Market—and discover what makes yours so special.