Making Meals Matter

Helping more people enjoy fulfilling, nutritious and delicious meals.

At Mars Food & Nutrition, we believe meals matter.

Meals nourish our bodies and our souls. They bring people together, create moments of joy and connection, and help support healthier lives.

That's why we're launching Making Meals Matter, our global initiative to help more people enjoy fulfilling, nutritious and delicious meals.

The way we eat is changing. While the traditional family dinner remains important, mealtimes are evolving. Busy schedules, rising costs and changing lifestyles mean people often feel forced to compromise between taste, health and convenience.

A couple eating a rice dish at their dinner table.

We're bringing together our trusted brands, nutrition science, culinary expertise and partnerships to help overcome the barriers that too often stand between people and a better meal.

A woman cooking with Dolmio sauce in her kitchen.

The way we eat is changing. The importance of meals is not.

People are increasingly prioritizing speed and convenience. A third of all lunches are now “quick meals" and nearly the same amount are made with no scratch cooking at all.¹

Regardless of what a meal looks like, its importance remains unchanged. Meals provide an opportunity to nourish and enrich us.

While consumers seek convenience, they are also seeking meals that are healthy.

Enjoying a nutritious, satisfying meal is not always easy

91% of Americans

see unhealthy eating as a problem

Cost, stress eating & lack of time

are seen as daily barriers to healthy eating²

74% of people

say they would be interested in eating a healthier diet if it were more convenient³

Two people smile in a kitchen while cooking a meal together.

Better choices for better meals

When it comes to meals, we are looking for a balanced contribution to our daily nutritional requirements, with a combination of nutrients such as protein, fiber, carbohydrates and healthy fats, along with essential vitamins and minerals. Together, these nutrients help support overall health and leave us feeling satisfied after eating. Meals are also an important opportunity in the day to pause, connect and re-energize.

Through our brands, partnerships, expertise and innovation, we’re working to help people enjoy meals that are Tasty, Accessible and Healthy.

Together, these core ingredients guide how we create products, communicate with consumers, support communities, and drive positive impact.

What better choices mean

Like everything we do, our initiative is anchored in Mars Food & Nutrition’s purpose: Better Food Today. A Better World Tomorrow. This means making food tasty, accessible and healthy – our core ingredients. These ingredients define what "better choices" mean and how we're bringing them to life through our brands, partnerships and innovation.

Tasty

Accessible

Healthy

Tasty: Food that is delicious and creates great experiences.

We believe that healthy food should not mean sacrificing flavor. Our culinary teams work to balance great taste with nutritional value, creating products people love.

A family sits at the table and enjoys a meal together.

Knowing taste is the number one purchase consideration for people when it comes to their food choices, we have developed a portfolio that reflects a broad spectrum of palates and preferences so that we offer something for everyone. We know, for example, that global cuisines and bold flavors are increasingly popular with 65% of consumers eating spicier food today compared to a year ago.⁴ That is why we have launched delicious, globally inspired ready meals like our Ben’s Original Street Food range, helping people eat balanced meals that are bursting with bold flavors.

Accessible: Making it easier for everyone to enjoy the benefits of healthy, tasty food.

No one should have to compromise on a good meal because of time, convenience, or affordability. We know that convenience is key. Today, 48% of people in the U.S. spend fewer than 15 minutes daily preparing dinner.⁵

A man smiles while handing a woman a bowl of Ben's Original rice in a kitchen.

And when it comes to food insecurity, we’re working to ensure more communities have access to healthy meals. For example, our Ben's Original™ brand partners with organizations like No Kid Hungry in the U.S. to help more children access nutritious meals, making healthy food more accessible to those who need it most.

Healthy: Food that fuels the mind, body and connection.

Meals that are well-balanced and enjoyed as part of a varied and balanced diet. We’re focused on helping people build healthier eating habits through nutritious food choices, education and innovation.

A group of female friends cook in the kitchen together.

While 50% of people across all age groups globally say healthy eating is a top priority for them, most people still struggle to eat the right amount of nutrients.⁶ For example, when it comes to fiber, 96% of the U.K. population still don’t meet the daily recommendation.⁷

We are addressing this through our Mars Food & Nutrition Criteria, our science-based standards that guide how we innovate and reformulate, helping us include more whole foods in our products, like vegetables, fruits, legumes and whole grains, while limiting added sugars, sodium and saturated fats.

The benefits of mealtimes go beyond the food on the plate. A meal can be an opportunity to connect with loved ones, try a new recipe with your children, check in with your partner after a long day, give a relative a call, or find a moment of solo peace to recharge.

Iconic brands. Real impact.

This is just the start. Across our global family of trusted food brands, we’re working to tackle compromises at mealtimes and make a lasting difference.

Whether it’s through convenient grains, flavorful ready meals or wholesome sauces, we are helping more people enjoy the benefits of Better Food Today. A Better World Tomorrow.