Herefordshire Council to fund free school meals during the Easter holidays

Herefordshire children are set to benefit from free school meals support during the Easter holidays, thanks to a scheme funded through the Government’s winter Covid grant.

The scheme has already funded meals for over 3,600 eligible children during the Christmas holidays and February half term, helping to prevent vulnerable Herefordshire families from going hungry during the coronavirus pandemic.

Primary and secondary school aged pupils who are eligible for benefits related free school meals will receive meal provision of £80 directly through their schools and will be contacted by their school prior to the Easter holidays. Families with an eligible child that haven’t received information before the holidays should get in touch with their child’s school direct.

Children who are eligible for the early year’s pupil premium and are not in a school setting, will receive a voucher posted direct from the council.

Parent and carers who have recently experienced a change in circumstances and think that their child may now be eligible for free school meals can apply by completing a form on the council’s website.

Councillor Felicity Norman, Cabinet Member for Children and Families, said: “We are delighted to be able to extend our financial support for the free schools meal provision into the Easter holidays.

“We know the pandemic has been incredibly difficult for everyone.  We encourage families who may be experiencing financial difficulties and need a bit of extra support to find out if their child is entitled to free meal provision by visiting the council’s Free School Meals webpage.”

For more information about the free school meals scheme for the Easter holidays, please visit www.herefordshire.gov.uk/holidaysfsm