Free School Meal vouchers return after mixed response to ‘hampers’

FREE School Meal vouchers will soon be made available to eligible children following controversy about the quality of recent ‘food boxes’.

The food boxes, given to children being home-schooled who are eligible for free school meals, hit national headlines last week when disappointed parents shared photos of food boxes that have since been described as “disgraceful” by MPs.

And in Melksham, there was a mixed response to the quality of ‘food hampers’ from parents and carers of pupils attending schools managed by the White Horse Federation, which includes seven primary schools and Melksham Oak Community School.

A spokesperson for the White Horse Federation told Melksham News, “At The White Horse Federation, we were very disappointed by the hampers provided by one supplier at our schools earlier this week. 

“They were significantly below our expectations. As a result, we have informed all parents of Free School Meal eligible children that we will be switching to a voucher system as soon as possible, with details following soon.”

However, there was praise for the food hampers distributed via River Mead School, with parents and carers describing the quality and quantity of food as “excellent”.

Headteacher at River Mead, Karen Austin, told Melksham News, “We are proud to have been able to provide a comprehensive food parcel whilst waiting for the national voucher scheme to restart. We are aware that it is vital for our families to have sufficient, good quality and fresh food during such a challenging time.  

“We have well over 100 children to provide meals for and creating the boxes and delivering them to families was a high priority last week. 

“We have been pleased to be able to offer collection and delivery to our families, and staff gave up their time on dark, frosty, freezing evenings to make sure everyone was reached.

“All schools will find the coming weeks difficult, because we continue to have kitchens open, up and running, to provide school meals for children who are in school, which impacts on our capacity to create food parcels as well. 

“Thankfully, we have been supported by a local provider Lovejoys (who are one of our current catering suppliers) and we have been able to take advantage of their bulk buying power capabilities – ensuring better value for families.

“I am exceptionally pleased with the quality and quantity we have been able to offer. We would like to be able to continue to offer the food parcels but unfortunately the complexity of the government guidance will not allow us to going forwards, but will allow us to purchase a £15 food voucher for one of the local registered supermarkets for families.

“We are now waiting for details of how we will be supporting families over the half term break. We are grateful that Marcus Rashford has campaigned so effectively on behalf of children – no one should be left hungry.”

Pictures: Food hampers from River Mead School, which were praised as “excellent” by parents and carers.