Free holiday meals will be available to any child in need during the February half-term, Greenwich Council has confirmed.
The scheme is part of a push to end child food insecurity and ensure no child goes hungry just because they’re not at school.
Healthy meals will be provided at libraries and adventure playgrounds from Monday 14th February.
Councillor Matt Morrow, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said: “With the cost of living so high, I know many families are worried about juggling childcare and finding the money to pay for extra meals during half-term.”
Raising energy and food prices – along with the removal in October of the £20 Covid top-up to universal credit – have had a devastating impact on the food consumption of millions of people, according to the Food Foundation thinktank.
The report found an increase in families living with food insecurity, with the figure rising from 7.3% of UK households in July 2021 to 8.8% (4.7 million adults) last month.
3.6% (1 million) adults said that they or someone in their household has gone a whole day without eating in the past month because they couldn’t afford or access food, according to the thinktank.
“Our holiday meal scheme means parents and carers have the reassurance that a healthy, nutritious meal is available, at no cost, said Cllr Morrow.
“The Council is committed to supporting families and children all year round, and schemes like this form part of our effort to tackle child food poverty.”
For full serving times and locations visit royalgreenwich.gov.uk/holidaymeals.
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