Target is expanding next-day delivery to 35 of the 60 largest US metro areas by the end of October, in a move to reach 54% of the population, up from 20% with plans to add 20 more cities to its network next year. Chief Supply Chain and Logistics Officer Gretchen McCarthy says the company is using stores more efficiently and increasing partnership with national carriers and Shipt.

Consumers are increasingly turning to comfort foods and nostalgic flavors, driving a trend in the food industry to innovate by reimagining familiar tastes in new formats. Companies like General Mills and PepsiCo are leading this movement, introducing flavors such as pineapple upside-down cake and bacon-grilled cheese in products ranging from snack bars to potato chips. This trend is also seen in the evolution of "swicy"fl avors, with global influences like gochujang and harissa gaining popularity.

Brands that succeed with Generation Z tend to balance a sense of purpose with playfulness and nostalgia, says Jack Mackinnon, senior director of cultural insights at Collage Group. Oreo, YouTube and Pringles are among the top brands with Gen Z, while Nerds, Sour Patch Kids and Spotify are the most differentiated, according to Collage Group's "2025 State of Brand Cultural Fluency" report.

Walmart is integrating technology and artificial intelligence to enhance customer and employee experiences. The company has introduced agentic AI through its GenAI-powered shopping assistant, expanded drone delivery to five states, and launched the Dinner Tonight platform for meal solutions. For employees, Walmart introduced a suite of AI-driven tools within its associate app, streamlining tasks such as shift planning and task management.

Planning ahead is key when it comes to actually making family meals a reality, said Hy-Vee dietician Ruthie Chipps. Breakfast can offer simple mealtime solutions for families to unite over bowls of cereal, while school lunches offer opportunities for families to plan and pack together.

Family meals, even once a week, significantly enhance family connections and overall health, experts say. David Fikes of the FMI Foundation and Katherine Shary of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta highlight the social, emotional and nutritional benefits of family meals noting that even adding only one family meal a week to your schedule can make an impact. "It's all about scheduling intentional times to connect around the table," Fikes said. "One or more family meal a week can often make a huge difference in family functioning."

My appreciation of anything that amplifies productivity by serving multiple purposes with proficiency and aptitude is one of the many reasons I love family meals. A lot takes place on multiple levels when we take the time to eat together. I challenge you to find another hour in your day wherein your body can be fueled, your mind engaged, your heart nourished and your spirit restored as efficiently as when you sit down at the dinner table to eat with people you love. Family meals is masterclass in multitasking where life events can be shared, social connections restored, problems solved, frustrations lessened and your thinking expanded all in between bites of meal that research shows to usually be healthier than the typical fare.