The rise of eating alone

Listener Melanie wrote into The Food Chain to ask us to make a programme about the rising numbers of people who eat alone. She told us she often dines solo and sometimes finds the experience daunting. So today Ruth Alexander hears from Melanie and from other solo diners – some who find peace and joy in a table for one, and others who would much rather not be alone.With the help of Sociologist Professor Erik Klinenberg, she looks at what’s behind the global rise in single-person households.And she hears how another Food Chain listener, Malvina from California, brought her friends together around the table, over a video call.If you would like to get in touch with the show, please email: thefoodchain@bbc.co.ukProduced by Lexy O'Connor. The sound engineer was Andrew Mills.Image description: A woman is eating from a bowl at a sunlit table, with trees behind her. (Credit: Getty)