CHICAGO, May 2, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- It's 7 p.m. after a busy day and it's become obvious that dinner will be courtesy of a pricey delivery service, but that doesn't have to be the answer! ConAgra (NYSE: CAG) is encouraging Millennials to have fun in the kitchen and reap the money-saving benefits of cooking simple recipes from home. That's why the company is hosting the #GreatAmericanCookIn Challenge and asking people to pledge to "cook in" for one week during the month of May using key recipe brands such as Hunt's tomatoes, Egg Beaters, PAM, ROTEL, Peter Pan Simply Ground Peanut Butter and Reddi-wip.

Experience the interactive Multimedia News Release here: http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7823451-conagra-foods-greatamericancookin-challenge/

Why aren't more people cooking? According to a recent survey,¹ 21 percent of respondents said they don't have time, and another 28 percent said they simply don't know how. In partnership with Chicago chef and television host Catherine De Orio, ConAgra's month-long "Cook In" aims to sharpen consumers' cooking skills, meal planning and overall confidence in the kitchen.

"Our hope is to give people the inspiration they need to dust off the pots and pans," says De Orio, host of an Emmy award-winning restaurant review show in Chicago. "Whether it's learning how to use one ingredient five ways or prep a week's worth of meals, cooking doesn't have to be intimidating or time-consuming."  

This May, Pledge to Cook In for One Week  It's easy to get involved; pledge to participate using the #GreatAmericanCookIn hashtag, and share food photos on Twitter and Instagram during the week of cooking in. Those who pledge to cook in for one week with ConAgra's #GreatAmericanCookIn hashtag can find a variety of resources, tools and support:  

• Visit Forkful.com in May to get inspired with simple recipes crafted by De Orio and ConAgra's culinary team.
• Follow @ConAgraFoods for tips on how to prep and plan meals ahead of time, build grocery lists and enjoy satisfying meals at home.

"My passion for cooking began at a young age and I'm thrilled for this opportunity to partner with ConAgra and to help others learn to love cooking in as much as I do," says De Orio. "I hope many will take part in the #GreatAmericanCookIn Challenge, using these everyday recipe ingredients to create simple and tasty meals in their own kitchen – for one full week."

To learn more about ConAgra's #GreatAmericanCookIn Challenge, visit Forkful.com.

About ConAgra ConAgra Foods, Inc. (NYSE: CAG) is one of North America's leading packaged food companies with recognized brands such as Marie Callender's®, Healthy Choice®, Slim Jim®, Hebrew National®, Orville Redenbacher's®, Peter Pan®, Reddi-wip®, PAM®, Snack Pack®, Banquet®, Chef Boyardee®, Egg Beaters®, Hunt's® and many other ConAgra Foods brands found in grocery, convenience, mass merchandise and club stores. ConAgra Foods also has a strong business-to-business presence, supplying frozen potato and sweet potato products as well as other vegetable, spice and grain products to a variety of well-known restaurants, foodservice operators and commercial customers. For more information, please visit us at www.ConAgraFoods.com.

About Catherine De Orio Catherine De Orio is a well-known culinary and lifestyle expert and host of an Emmy award-winning restaurant review show in Chicago. Throughout her career, she's leveraged her passion for food and Italian heritage to inspire people in the kitchen and craft delicious, original recipes.

¹ The Kitchn, 2013

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/greatamericancookin-challenge-encourages-mature-millennials-to-eat-in-for-one-week-in-may-300260488.html

SOURCE ConAgra

Erin Hulliberger | ConAgra, 630-857-1326, erin.hulliberger@conagrafoods.com; or Katie Heck | Ketchum, 312-228-6881, katie.heck@ketchum.com, www.ConAgraFoods.com, www.Forkful.com