It’s September — a new school year with new routines. September is also National Family Meals Month, which has as an aim to inspire families to eat at home together more often. Numerous studies underscore the long-term health, academic and societal benefits of consistently eating together as a family.

September is the perfect month to spotlight the long-term benefits of family meals and inspire people to return to the kitchen. Juggling the demands of modern life- school, sports, job and long commutes can sabotage the best laid plans for home-cooked meals. The will may exist to return to the table, but it is challenging. Consider these statistics:

• 81 percent of parents buy items with minimal prep time

• 42 percent of men are cooking as compared to 29 percent in 1965

• 57 percent of people decide what’s for dinner an hour before mealtime

• 30 percent of American families share dinner every night

• 68 percent of consumers say dinner is the mealtime most of the people in the household eat together

So what can we do to make this happen? Now that we’re getting ourselves organized for another hectic school year, it is a good time to take a look at our routines and do some planning. Consider some of these tips from the www.fmifamilymeals.com website:

1. Make it easy and pick up a prepared meal made by your local grocer’s deli staff.

2. Time is short and parents are looking for convenience. Consider using grab-n-go meals or pre-prepped ingredients already chopped and ready for cooking.

3. Pick up a rotisserie chicken and a veggie side dish to gather around the table.

4. Gather the ingredients to make a pizza at home with your family.

5. Share a family breakfast at home this weekend.

6. Let the kids take over the kitchen and make an easy family meal.

7. Set up a taco bar and have a fun shared meal.

8. Save time and prepare several dishes on Sunday. Keep them in the fridge or freezer for the week ahead.

9. Buy extra and save time by cooking one meal and using leftovers to create a second meal.

10. Head to your grocer’s deli for sandwich ingredients to make easy and personalized sandwiches for your family. Include plenty of veggies for toppings.

All these suggestions, plus many more, are available on the family meals website at www.fmifamilymeals.com. Back to school=Back to routine. Raise your mitt and commit to getting your family back to the table for a meal.

Cheryl Rude is a registered dietitian at Avera Marshall Regional Medical Center.