College students away from home really miss homecooked meals, survey finds

During the first 10 weeks of school, 94% of college students feel homesick. And homecooked meals rank among the top three things they miss the most, according to a nationwide survey commissioned by Barilla, the pasta company.

Over half of students (55%) indicated they missed homemade meals, second only to missing their families (77%).

Pasta was cited as a homecooked favorite, giving Barilla reason to create a Home Away from Home Kitchen offer for students in Madison, Wis. From Oct. 19-22, college students can place an online order for Rigatoni Carbonara, Lasagna, Spaghetti and Meatballs or Macaroni and Cheese. The meals will be delivered on Oct. 25 and 26.

Each meal can be customized to resemble what the student enjoyed at the family dinner table. For example, participants can request extra sauce or cheese and the addition of special ingredients, such as olives or oregano.

The student promotion coincides with National Pasta Month, which is commemorated during October.

The survey was fielded by Edelman Data and Intelligence between Aug. 31 and Sept. 22. It covers a representative sample of 1,000 college students age 18-24 who are pursuing an associate's or bachelor's degree and are living away from home this semester.