The pasta sauce brand Prego has partnered with StoryCorps to release a screen-free audio recording device built specifically to capture American family dinners — and it sold out almost immediately.
The device goes by the name “Connection Keeper.” It is shaped like a hockey puck, requires no setup, and operates on a single button press.
Prego and StoryCorps announced the limited-edition “Connection Keeper Bundle” on April 20, 2026. The bundle launched for sale on April 27 for $20.
Only 100 bundles were made available. They are now sold out.
The bundle contained the recording device, a set of conversation prompt cards, Prego pasta sauce and spaghetti, a USB-C charging cable, and a step-by-step instruction guide.
The device carries no artificial intelligence, no Wi-Fi, no Bluetooth, and no cloud storage. It houses a pair of spatial audio microphones capable of capturing CD-quality audio, powered by an ARM Cortex-M7 processor.
Recordings stay on the device unless the user deliberately uploads them. Prego confirmed it never accesses the audio at any point.
When users plug the device in via USB-C, it automatically shifts from recording mode to a high-speed transfer drive, moving audio to a computer without manual steps.
Starting May 4, families can upload their recordings to storycorps.org/prego. From there, users control who hears the audio, and they can also opt to contribute recordings to a public Prego Collection.
Families who choose to share their recordings broadly can have them archived at the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress — the largest single collection of human voices ever assembled.
StoryCorps was founded in 2003. It has recorded conversations with more than 720,000 Americans across all 50 states. Select recordings are distributed through its podcast, radio broadcasts, animated shorts, and published books.
Prego’s parent company, The Campbell’s Company, is headquartered in Camden, New Jersey, and has operated for more than 155 years. Its portfolio of 16 brands generated $10.3 billion in net sales during fiscal year 2025.
Prego Marketing Director Jaime Zagami released a statement on the partnership: “Through our partnership with StoryCorps, we’re inviting families to slow down, reconnect, and preserve the warmth, laughter, and real conversations that turn everyday meals into lasting memories.”
StoryCorps CEO Sandra Clark also commented: “At StoryCorps, we believe listening is a profound way to honor and connect with our loved ones—and that some of the most meaningful stories are shared in everyday moments, like around the table.”
Clark added: “We’re proud to partner with Prego to help families be present with one another, and to preserve their stories for generations to come.”
