News Release

National Survey Reveals Nearly Half Of American Families Eat Dinner Together Fewer Than Three Times A Week Or Not At All

May 30, 2003, 4:57 AM EDT

           Eckrich Contest Brings Families Back To The Dinner Table

DOWNERS GROVE, Ill., May 30 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Families today are finding it more difficult to eat dinner together, and when they come to the table, it's often the TV that's doing the talking. A recent survey conducted by Eckrich(R), a product of ConAgra Foods, found that 40 percent of American families eat dinner together only three or fewer times a week, with 10 percent never eating dinner together at all. However, 88 percent of families would like to increase the time spent with their family at the dinner table rather than time preparing the meal.

To bring families together at mealtime, Eckrich, America's smoked sausage expert, has announced a mobile marketing tour celebrating Eckrich Family Supper Night and a national contest to get families excited about eating dinner together. From now through October, Eckrich will travel across the country, visiting family events with the Eckrich Family Fun House and bringing suppertime to life by giving consumers tips for making family-pleasing recipes with Eckrich Smoked Sausage, as well as ideas for fun mealtime activities.

"Any night of the week can be Eckrich Family Supper Night and moms know they can make a great-tasting dinner in a snap by having Eckrich Smoked Sausage on hand," said Diane McKinnon, brand manager for Eckrich. "Whether it's paired with a simple side dish or in a one-skillet meal, Eckrich Smoked Sausage makes a delicious and quick heat-and-serve meal that gets the family to the dinner table in a hurry."

Since juicy Eckrich Smoked Sausage is fully cooked, it's the easiest way to create quick and flavorful meals that families crave. According to the survey, 79 percent of Americans rely on foods that help them spend less time in the kitchen and more time with their families. Whether moms make a simple recipe, like Eckrich Smoked Sausage and Couscous (recipe attached) or a family favorite, such as Smoked Sausage with Glazed Onion Sandwiches (recipe attached), families will have more time to share fun dinnertime activities and catch up on each other's day.

ECKRICH FAMILY SUPPERTIME ... MAKE IT JUICY IN A SNAP CONTEST

The "Eckrich Family Supper Night ... Make It Juicy In A Snap" contest challenges consumers to submit an essay, 50 words or less, on how they "juice up" family supper night with Eckrich and make mealtime memorable. The contest runs now through October 31, 2003. One grand-prize winner will receive a $5,000 family vacation, two first-place winners will each receive a gas grill, and 10 runners-up will each receive a portable grill. As part of their prize packages, all winners will also receive a year's supply of Eckrich Smoked Sausage.

Consumers can enter at special Eckrich Family Supper Night events, at www.eckrichbrand.com or via mail to: "Eckrich Family Supper Night ... Make It Juicy In A Snap" Contest Entry Submission, c/o ePrize, LLC, P.O. Box 9052, Farmington Hills, MI 48333-9052.

Eckrich, a product of ConAgra Foods, has been providing consumers with premium-quality meat products since 1894 and continues to create convenient and great-tasting meal solutions that the whole family will love. Eckrich products include Eckrich Smoked Sausage, Lite Sausage, Beef Smoked Sausage and Polska Kielbasa.

For more information about Eckrich and the "Eckrich Family Supper Night ... Make It Juicy In A Snap" contest, please visit www.eckrichbrand.com .

ConAgra Foods, Inc. (NYSE: CAG) is one of North America's largest packaged food companies, serving consumer grocery as well as restaurant and foodservice establishments. Popular ConAgra Foods consumer brands include: Hunt's, Healthy Choice, Banquet, Armour, Louis Kemp, La Choy, Lunch Makers, Knott's Berry Farm, Wesson, Country Pride, Blue Bonnet, Kid Cuisine, Parkay, Reddi-wip, Marie Callender's, Cook's, Butterball, ACT II, Slim Jim, Eckrich, Chef Boyardee, Orville Redenbacher's, PAM, Snack Pack, Van Camp's, Peter Pan, Hebrew National, Gulden's, Pemmican, Swiss Miss, and many others. For more information, please visit us at www.conagrafoods.com .

SOURCE  ConAgra Foods, Inc.
    -0-                             05/30/2003
    /CONTACT:  Susan Kaminski, Senior Account Executive of Dome Communications
for ConAgra Foods, Inc., +1-312-467-0760/
    /Web site:  http://www.eckrichbrand.com http://www.conagrafoods.com /
    (CAG)

CO:  ConAgra Foods, Inc.
ST:  Illinois
IN:  FOD
SU:  SVY



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9986 05/30/2003 08:56 EDT http://www.prnewswire.com