According to a new survey, more than one in five parents are worried about how they will feed their family during the summer holidays amid sky-high food costs.
The Food Foundation estimates that over 2.5 million children are experiencing food insecurity, meaning that they’re unable to access a healthy, sufficient and affordable diet.
These children are at a higher risk of diet-related diseases, shorter lives, and poor growth, which can directly impact both their education and overall wellbeing.
The importance of free school meals
During term time, free school meals are a vital form of support to many children. Approximately 23.8% of pupils in the UK are currently eligible for free school meals, which is up from 22.5% in 2022. While access to free school meals doesn’t resolve the wider issues facing children experiencing food insecurity, they do play an important part in providing children with one nutritious and energising meal each day.
During the holidays, however, many children who usually receive free meals while at school each day run the risk of going hungry – sometimes for prolonged periods. According to a recent survey, one parent reported feeling “very, very worried” that her sons, who already skip meals during term time, will go hungry during the six-week break without access to free school meals.
Resources for the summer
With the cost of food and childcare continuing to have an impact on many families, the upcoming summer holidays are likely to be a worrying time for parents and families who are struggling and will likely have concerns around affording meals that children would normally access in school.
Thankfully, there are many resources available which will be able to help children and families needing support during this period. In this blog we have compiled a list of some resources and initiatives which can be shared with families.
1. Supermarket schemes across the UK
Some supermarkets allow children to eat for free or for £1 during the school holidays. To access this support, children don’t have to be eligible for free school meals to benefit – this is available to anyone who might be feeling the impact of the cost-of-living crisis.
During the summer holidays:
- ASDA will be offering £1 meals for children in its cafés.
- Morrisons will be offering a free children’s meal with any purchased adult meal that costs more than £4.49.
- Tesco will be offering a free meal worth up to £3.50 to children, with each item bought by an adult that costs 60p or more. Options available include items in the kids’ breakfast, hot meal deal and cold pick and mix deal. Adults will need a free Tesco Clubcard to access this deal.
- Sainsbury’s are offering a kids meal for just £1 with the purchase of an adult meal priced from £5.20. The offer is available everyday after 11:30am until the café closes and you can choose from one main and three side options, or from the kids lunch bags which includes a sandwich, crisps, fruit and drink.
M&S has also run similar deals previously, so it is worthwhile advising families to check their local supermarkets throughout summer to see what options are available in their local areas.
2. Holiday Activity and Food Programme (HAF)
The Holiday Activity and Food Programme is a holiday scheme which offers in-person enrichment support for school-aged children from reception to year 11 and will be available over the summer holidays for children in England who are eligible to receive free school meals.
The programme aims to provide:
- Enrichment activities for children aged 4+
- At least one free healthy meal a day
- At least 4 weeks’ face-to-face provisions during the six-week holidays
It is important to note that anyone wishing to access support from the HAF programme must submit an application for each holiday. More information about the programme and how to apply, can be found on the government website.
3. Vouchers and food parcels from local councils
Some councils across the UK currently offer weekly food vouchers such as Healthy Start food vouchers or parcels to families in need. Other initiatives offered by councils that can help to ensure that children have continued access to nutritious food throughout the summer holidays, include:
- A £15 weekly food voucher (from selected councils in England)
- Food parcels or vouchers for children who access free school meals (in Scotland)
- A food pantry service (such as Westbourne Park food pantry) which, for a £5 weekly subscription, provides access to fresh fruit, veg and store cupboard essentials to the value of £15 to £20.
The support available varies between councils and authorities, so it’s worthwhile reminding families to check with their local council to see what help is on offer.
4. Food Banks
Families can also access emergency support from food banks. There are over 1,400 Trussell Trust food banks across the UK, and many independent food banks, such as FEAST With Us in London, offer vouchers and food packages along with essential toiletries. Families needing support can get a referral from Citizen’s advice, GP’s, social workers, or their local council. More information about Trussell Trust Food Banks can be found here.
