New York Times columnist and author Mark Bittman will debut his Simple Suppers” food column in the July issue of Parents magazine, available on newsstands June 15. Bittman’s column will emphasize healthy, family-friendly meals meant to introduce young children to nutritious foods.

Says Dana Points, Parents‘ editor in chief:

We are so excited to add “Simple Suppers” to our issues. Eating dinner together as a family every night may seem challenging, but studies show that family meals are invaluable when it comes to encouraging healthy eating habits in children. Mark’s creative, nutritious and easy-to-follow recipes will make preparing dinners and then sitting down to eat as a family an attainable goal for everyone.

In addition to penning his column, Bittman will tackle reader questions about food and cooking via www.parents.com/askbittman.