Free School Meals Go Digital: £15 Weekly Vouchers for Kids While Schools Are Closed
Children eligible for free school meals will now receive £15 weekly shopping vouchers to help families buy food while schools remain shut due to the coronavirus crisis.
Vouchers Replace School Meals for 1.3 Million Kids
Instead of school dinners, families can use the new national voucher scheme at major supermarkets including Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Asda, Morrisons, Waitrose, and M&S.
Schools will send vouchers electronically or as physical gift cards for parents without internet access. This ensures no child misses out on healthy meals during lockdown.
Government and Schools Join Forces
Education Secretary Gavin Williamson said:
“No child should go hungry as a result of the measures introduced to keep people at home, protect the NHS and save lives. That’s why we are launching this scheme to make sure children who usually benefit from free school meals still have access to healthy and nutritious meals while they are not attending school.”
The scheme supports 1.3 million children who rely on free school meals linked to benefits. Starting 31 March, schools receive instructions from Edenred, the government’s voucher supplier, to order and distribute codes or gift cards.
Schools and Experts Praise the Scheme
Paul Whiteman, General Secretary of the National Association of Headteachers (NAHT), welcomed the move but cautioned:
“There may be some kinks to work out of the scheme, especially as it has been developed at pace, but at least there is some certainty available now.”
He added that the option to use vouchers at multiple supermarkets makes it practical for families and allows schools to continue their own local food provision schemes if preferred.
Supermarkets Rally Behind Effort
Sainsbury’s Chief Executive Mike Coupe said:
“We are proud to be involved in the government’s brilliant initiative, to help provide meals to school children as part of our ongoing commitment to feed the nation.”
The voucher’s £15 weekly value is higher than usual meal funding, recognising families may face extra costs buying food in smaller quantities.
New government guidance has also been released to help parents and schools navigate free school meal support during the pandemic.
