Pictured are students from Fulham College Boys' School eating in their school canteen
Hammersmith & Fulham Council continues to provide free meal vouchers to families in need during school breaks.
Next week, we will give out meal vouchers to almost 6,000 pupils during the February half-term break as part of our fight to end food poverty.
That represents more than 180,000 vouchers for 900,000 meals since we launched the scheme in March 2020 with more families struggling during the cost-of-living crisis.
In addition, we're working with West Kensington-based youth activity provider Let Me Play to offer free half-term activities for young residents with free food available at all events.
Free half-term events and food
"We will stop at nothing to ensure local children and young people do not go hungry during their school holidays," said Cllr Alex Sanderson, H&F Cabinet Member for Children and Education.
"Our free meals voucher scheme forms part of our war on hunger as the cost-of-living crisis bites. Please get in touch with our dedicated Cost-of-Living Team if you need help in these challenging times."
The number of students receiving free school meals has risen by more than a third over the past five years. While in secondary schools, it has rocketed by almost 60 per cent in the same period.
Nearly 29 per cent of all local pupils in H&F receive free school meals – which is much higher than the national average of 22.5 per cent.
Need help?
Find out if your child is eligible for free school meals and school uniform grants.
Our cost-of-living team is available at our offices at 145 King Street, Hammersmith W6 9XY, from Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.
If you'd like help outside of these hours, call them for free on 0800 917 6994 from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday. Or email the team anytime at: costoflivingteam@lbhf.gov.uk
Fighting food poverty
Here is what else we are doing to support local residents:
- provide free breakfasts to all primary school pupils in H&F
- delivered more than 100,000 free lunches in two of our secondary schools
- opened the Nourish Hub - a new community kitchen on the Edward Woods estate
- support local foodbanks including H&F Foodbank.
Visit our cost-of-living hub to find out what support is available for local residents.
Want to read more news stories like this? Subscribe to our weekly e-news bulletin.
