What's happened to Free School Meals provision?

[Carpathian2]

I've just had this from my child's school

Posted too soon!

My son is in year 9 and I've to go on benefits as I've lost my job due to COVID.

I thought that the campaign by Marcus Rashford was supposed to help with low income families, but how is this meagre food parcel supposed to help?

I don't need a food parcel, so I've asked for it to be given to someone else who does.

My son is in Year 9. We had an email saying we will be receiving vouchers every Friday.

The government guidance was changed in the last few days and it is indeed food parcels now. Schools are strongly encouraged to switch to parcels.

Last time the government paid for the voucher system, this time they are not. So schools, who have to continue paying their FSM supplier, have the choice of paying for the vouchers ON TOP of this payment. The majority of schools can't afford to pay twice! The food box is meant to be sufficient to make 5 lunch meals.

I think the school are in a difficult position with regard to trying to support families and the government have put them there, they should be providing vouchers not parcels. I'm not on FSM but if I was and was offered that I would decline it as there is literally nothing on that list that DS will eat.

I've had a good luck at that list and there's no way that food can last a couple of days never mind a week! I really feel for the people who are desperate 😡

It's only meant to be 5 lunches.

Apolgise as I will sound ignorant here, but the letter states ‘we are not getting funding from the government’. I thought all schools received funding form the government for free school meals? So they are basically giving you the food they would have otherwise fed the child in school. And why is this a problem? I thought that was the point ... the school still provides a meal to a child who is now at home who would have other wised had the meal in school??

So why is a food box a problem?

@Carpathian2

I've had a good luck at that list and there's no way that food can last a couple of days never mind a week! I really feel for the people who are desperate 😡

Well - it's only supposed to be 5 lunches for one person, so from that POV it's not a disaster. At least it does include some fruit and salad.

I think that's a good amount for 5 lunches for 1 child.

well, that list is about enough food for a decent lunch every day for a school week.
rolls
baked potato and tuna/baked beans
fruit/cucumber/tomatoes
yog and milk to drink

pretty much everything on there will last for a week, except the rolls which you eat first.

Fine if you don't need it, but a perfectly good lunch for those who do. I think you are being a bit snotty about the food parcel to be honest

It's a problem because these meals are not hot and are likely to be shared amongst other members of the family. At school you get a meal just for you, outside school many children have to take their chances.

"how is this meagre food parcel supposed to help?"

It provides five lunches. If you don't need it, then perhaps you wouldn't get how it would help.

It is difficult for parents who children wouldn't eat that. But the schools aren't in a position to offer more. My DD's local councillors have been organising food pick ups and so have children's centres.

If some areas are getting vouchers then it should be soon getting discussed in Parliament.

I personally think that this should be the last lock down.

5 lunches for one child. So you have the option of 2 rolls, a baked potato, an omelette or boiled eggs, fruit and yogurt. I don't think it's unreasonable.

That's plenty of food for one year 9 child for 5 lunches. Infact, I reckon it is a lot more food than he would eat when at school.

Our school gives a paper bag of 1 sandwich, some chopped cucumber and tomato and a slice of flapjack. You have to collect it from the office between 11am and 12pm.

@Carpathian2, what makes you think that those getting the vouchers would be doing hot meals? Especially the ones whose children don't get priority?

I would be unhappy if we were told we'd be receiving the items on the list you just shared as my son doesn't like cheese, baked beans, yogurts or eggs.

That’s great - it’s 5 lunches and plenty of food.

I've recieved a £30 voucher today. Not sure if it is funded by the school or government as I remember last time them not being able to access the government system so they funded it themselves. I'm very grateful for the voucher - my 2 are constantly hungry!!

That's enough for 5 lunches for 1 child.

@steppemum

They get more at the food bank! I'm not being snotty, but I think it's insulting to people who haven't got the skills to provide put those ingredients together to make a lunch.

we get FSM. I was very grateful for the vouchers in last lockdown, as 3 teenagers eat a huge amount of lunch and snacks.

But my kids travel to school, and so we could not go and get the food parcel, too expensive.

Well, we are not desperate, but it really did help.

That is plenty for 1 child for 5 days!! Honesty, people just want everything for nothing.

I would be able to make lunches from that food, though.

Rolls
Baked potato
Omelette
Fruit and salad.

It’s reasonable for one person for 5 days