Holiday school meals

At the Royal Borough of Greenwich, we are committed to making school holidays synonymous with fun, friendship, and fulfilment for all our children, regardless of family income. But this can’t be achieved on an empty stomach. That is why our Holiday Meals programme is an essential component of delivering the corporate plan, Our Greenwich, through Mission 3 – “Those in financial need can access the right support, advice and opportunities to improve their situation” and Mission 4 – “Children and young people can reach their full potential”.

Food poverty and holidays

For most children, school holidays are eagerly awaited as a chance to sleep in, spend more time with friends, and pursue hobbies. For many others, however, the holiday brings with it anxiety for the family, as children miss out on school meals and support. Worryingly, research suggests that the long summer break may be one of the most significant driving factors of the attainment gap based on family income, as children experience poorer educational outcomes and worse health upon their return. Due to the cost-of-living crisis, stagnating wages and other pressures, many families in Greenwich are experiencing poverty. Research has shown that currently, a fifth of children in our borough are living in relative poverty (Department of Work and Pensions).

Our Response

In Our Greenwich, we have committed to supporting the Holiday Meals programme, providing free, nutritious meals throughout all school holidays during the year (including half terms). Each meal includes a sandwich, two pieces of fruit, and a drink (fruit juice), all providing children with the energy and nutrition necessary to make the most of their holiday. Our Public Health team have partnered with community organisations to make this happen, including Greenwich Cooperative Development Agency (GCDA), Greenwich Leisure Limited (GLL), Charlton Athletic Community Trust (CACT).

The programme is held at locations across the borough providing easy access and familiarity, at our libraries and adventure playgrounds. These spaces can encourage children to engage in fun activities, one parent shared “It is really good that this is offered in the library because it encourages my kids to keep reading, and they love coming here for the food […]”

The Impact

Since the programme began nearly ten years ago, it has succeeded in providing nutritious meals to thousands of children. We are proud to run a scheme open to all children in Greenwich, thereby ensuring that nobody risks falling through the cracks.

Most recently, during the summer of 2024, 7,530 meals were served across 10 sites. At the same time, GCDA worked with Felix London to collect extra food and provide families with fresh fruit and vegetables, with a total of 6,700 kg collected and distributed. Since the programme began, we have delivered 70,000 meals.

Our Values

At Greenwich, we strongly believe that “how we support children and young people is a reflection of our values as a borough.” Equally, our council is committed to food security and strives towards a healthier, fairer, and more sustainable food system – we were recognised as showing leadership across the board by the Good Food Local report, placing 4th for London Boroughs in their overall league table.

Every child is entitled to a fun, enjoyable holiday, and good nutrition. It is our responsibility as the adults in the room to deliver on this promise. Together, we ensure that holidays are fun, full of friendship, and are fulfilling for all children in Greenwich, empowering them to reach their full potential.