By SmashMeals Editorial — 2026-08-10 — Company News
KINGSPORT, Tenn., Aug. 10, 2026 — Back-to-school schedules are putting new pressure on family dinners, and SmashMeals is using its weekly menu, family meals, freezer meals, and gluten-free prepared entrées to give Tri-Cities households another option besides the drive-thru.
A recent national parent survey reported by the New York Post found that 82% of families have a primary “dinner manager,” with back-to-school season increasing the burden for many parents. USDA ERS also reports that food prices remain higher year over year, with restaurant and grocery costs both still rising in 2026.
“Most parents are not failing at dinner because they do not care,” said Lew Kizer, owner of SmashMeals. “They are just tired, overscheduled, and trying to feed everybody before the night falls apart.”
What SmashMeals is promoting this week
SmashMeals is encouraging families to use the current weekly menu as a dinner reset:
- individual meals for parents and teens
- family meals for busy nights
- freezer meals for backup dinners
- gluten-free snacks and breakfasts
- no-subscription weekly ordering
“The goal is not to replace every dinner,” Kizer said. “The goal is to save the nights that usually turn into fast food.”
Why gluten-free family meals matter
For families with one celiac member, dinner often becomes two dinners: one “normal” meal and one gluten-free workaround. SmashMeals eliminates that split by preparing every meal in a 100% dedicated gluten-free kitchen.
Customers can view this week's menu, browse freezer meals, or read more about the dedicated gluten-free kitchen.
About SmashMeals
Founded in 2017, SmashMeals is a Kingsport-based prepared meal company serving the Tri-Cities and eligible shipping addresses with 100% gluten-free, macro-counted meals.
Media/contact: 423-525-2489 · lew@smashmeals.com Order: View This Week's Menu