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Free school meals: Minister demands 'urgent improvement' Free school meals: Mother's 'sadness' at 'mean' food parcel
(about 11 hours later)
Marcus Rashford is a high-profile campaigner for children on free school meals England and Man Utd footballer Marcus Rashford is a high-profile campaigner for children on free school meals
Caterers must "urgently" improve the quality of food parcels being provided to the poorest pupils in England while schools are closed during the national lockdown, a minister has said. A mother who posted a photo on social media of a food parcel she received has told of the "sense of sadness" she felt on seeing what it contained.
Children's minister Vicky Ford said this would ensure eligible children received "a healthy, nutritious lunch". The mother, who wants to be anonymous, told the BBC: "As I unpacked that food parcel... and looked at the contents, it felt very sad and depressing."
It comes after footballer Marcus Rashford shared images of some parcels online, calling them "not good enough". Chartwells, the firm which supplied the parcel, has apologised.
One post, by Roadside Mum on Twitter, was picked up by news outlets. Asked about photos of the parcels, the health secretary said the contents were "clearly inadequate".
Food parcels are currently being sent to school children in England who would normally get free school meals. Matt Hancock told BBC Breakfast that when the issue surfaced, colleagues in the Department for Education "were on it straight away" and spoke to the company, which "apologised and it got sorted out".
He said: "Everyone is collectively sorting out a problem very rapidly", adding that the food parcels have "got to be decent meals".
What free school meals are children supposed to get?What free school meals are children supposed to get?
School food firm apologises after Rashford intervenesSchool food firm apologises after Rashford intervenes
A row broke out after Roadside Mum posted the photo of two carrots, two potatoes, a tin of baked beans and a small range of other food items, which she calculated to have cost about £5. The post prompted others to complain about the quality and quantity of the food in parcels. Food parcels are being sent to pupils in England who would normally be eligible for free school meals while schools are closed during lockdown.
The mother, who does not want to be identified, had thought it was supposed to last 10 school days and should have been worth £30. A row broke out after the mother, using the online name Roadside Mum, posted a photo on Twitter of two carrots, two potatoes, a tin of baked beans and a small range of other food items, which she calculated to have cost about £5. The post prompted others to complain about the quality and quantity of the food they had received in similar parcels.
The mother, who is disabled, had thought it was supposed to last 10 school days and should have been worth £30.
"Public funds were charged £30. I'd have bought this for £5.22," said Twitter user Roadside Mum of the parcel she received
She told BBC Breakfast on Tuesday: "As I unpacked that food parcel in my living room and looked at the contents, it felt very sad and very depressing.
"One of my children came in and saw me laying this out on the floor, and I said I was going to picture it because it didn't look like a lot.
"I could see the child's realisation that this is what I've been given to eat for a week and the sense of sadness.
"Where has the rest of the food gone? This is meant to be a week's food. Why is it so mean?"
Chartwells, the company that provided the parcel, said it was actually only intended to last one school week and had cost £10.50 for food, packing and distribution.Chartwells, the company that provided the parcel, said it was actually only intended to last one school week and had cost £10.50 for food, packing and distribution.
The firm said it had been required to provide thousands of food parcels "at extremely short notice" - but acknowledged it was insufficient and apologised.The firm said it had been required to provide thousands of food parcels "at extremely short notice" - but acknowledged it was insufficient and apologised.
"Public funds were charged £30. I'd have bought this for £5.22," said Twitter user Roadside Mum of the parcel she received Jack Monroe: Free school meals "replaced with a poverty picnic"
In a statement on Tuesday, Ms Ford said the food parcels being shared online were "completely unacceptable" and "do not reflect the high standard of free school meals we expect to be sent to children". The initial social media images of food parcels drew widespread criticism.
She added: "Chartwells has rightly apologised and admitted the parcel in question was not good enough. I met their managing director earlier today and he has assured me they have taken immediate action to stop further deliveries of poor-quality parcels. Footballer Marcus Rashford, a high-profile campaigner for children on free school meals, shared images of some parcels online, calling them "not good enough".
"They will ensure schools affected are compensated and they will provide additional food to the eligible child in line with our increased funding." After a meeting with the company, he said: "One thing that is clear is that there was very little communication with the suppliers that a national lockdown was coming.
She said the government would now be demanding that caterers "urgently improve the quality of lunches they provide to children". "We must do better. Children shouldn't be going hungry on the basis that we aren't communicating or being transparent with plans. That is unacceptable."
"This will make sure every one of them receives a healthy and nutritious lunch that will give them the fuel they need to focus on learning at home." Labour's leader Sir Keir Starmer tweeted that the food appeared to be "woefully inadequate" and said it needed "sorting immediately".
Ms Ford has said anyone with evidence of problems should provide details to the Department of Education for investigation. And Anne Longfield, the children's commissioner, called on companies to provide "real food and real amounts that will really help families".
Meanwhile, Dr Max Davie, of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, said the contents of the food parcels were "not nutritionally sufficient for children and young people".
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In a statement on Tuesday, Children's minister Vicky Ford said that catering companies must "urgently" improve the quality of food parcels being sent out, to ensure eligible children received "a healthy, nutritious lunch that will give them the fuel they need to focus on learning at home".
Ms Ford said the food parcels being shared online were "completely unacceptable" and "do not reflect the high standard of free school meals we expect to be sent to children".
She added: "Chartwells has rightly apologised and admitted the parcel in question was not good enough. I met their managing director earlier today and he has assured me they have taken immediate action to stop further deliveries of poor-quality parcels."
She said anyone with evidence of problems should provide details to the Department of Education (DfE) for investigation.
The government will set out further details on Wednesday of how best to report this and other matters, she said.The government will set out further details on Wednesday of how best to report this and other matters, she said.
Chartwells, which is owned by Compass group, has pledged to refund costs where food parcels have not met its standards, and to contact schools to understand where shortages have occurred, while also apologising to anyone affected.Chartwells, which is owned by Compass group, has pledged to refund costs where food parcels have not met its standards, and to contact schools to understand where shortages have occurred, while also apologising to anyone affected.
It has also said the firm will further enhance its food parcels following the Department for Education's additional allowance of £3.50 per week per child, in line with nutritional guidelines.It has also said the firm will further enhance its food parcels following the Department for Education's additional allowance of £3.50 per week per child, in line with nutritional guidelines.
What does guidance on food parcels say?What does guidance on food parcels say?
parcels should contain food items rather than pre-prepared meals due to food safety considerations Parcels should contain food items rather than pre-prepared meals due to food safety considerations
minimise the fridge and freezer space that schools and families will need to store foods Minimise the fridge and freezer space that schools and families will need to store foods
contain items which parents can use to prepare healthy lunches for their child/children across the week Contain items which parents can use to prepare healthy lunches for their child/children across the week
not rely on parents having additional ingredients at home to prepare meals Not rely on parents having additional ingredients at home to prepare meals
not contain items restricted under the school food standards Not contain items restricted under the school food standards
cater for pupils who require special diets, for example, allergies, vegetarians or religious diets - schools should ensure there are systems in place to avoid cross-contamination Cater for pupils who require special diets, for example, allergies, vegetarians or religious diets - schools should ensure there are systems in place to avoid cross-contamination
contain appropriate packaging sizes for household use, rather than wholesale sizes Contain appropriate packaging sizes for household use, rather than wholesale sizes
Source: Department for EducationSource: Department for Education
The initial images drew widespread criticism.
Labour's leader Sir Keir Starmer tweeted that the food appeared to be "woefully inadequate" and said it needed "sorting immediately".
And Anne Longfield, the children's commissioner, called on companies to provide "real food and real amounts that will really help families".
Meanwhile, Dr Max Davie, of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, said the contents of the food parcels were "not nutritionally sufficient for children and young people".
He added: "Children who rely on free school meals have worse health outcomes than their peers and deserve proper help. The examples shared are an insult to the dignity of people who rely on this support."
After a meeting with the company, Rashford, a high-profile campaigner for children on free school meals, said: "One thing that is clear is that there was very little communication with the suppliers that a national lockdown was coming.
"We MUST do better. Children shouldn't be going hungry on the basis that we aren't communicating or being transparent with plans. That is unacceptable."
Earlier on Tuesday, Downing Street said food parcels should be healthy and sufficient for the task.
The DfE, which has clear guidelines for parcels, has said it will open a national scheme to provide supermarket vouchers via an online portal - similar to that of the first lockdown - "as soon as possible".The DfE, which has clear guidelines for parcels, has said it will open a national scheme to provide supermarket vouchers via an online portal - similar to that of the first lockdown - "as soon as possible".
During the current lockdown, schools in England have been told to continue providing free meals for those who are learning at home, and have been urged to use their usual caterers to offer food parcels.During the current lockdown, schools in England have been told to continue providing free meals for those who are learning at home, and have been urged to use their usual caterers to offer food parcels.
If schools cannot provide parcels, they can consider other arrangements which might include vouchers for local shops and supermarkets.If schools cannot provide parcels, they can consider other arrangements which might include vouchers for local shops and supermarkets.
In Wales, the provision of free school meals during the holidays has been extended by a year, and the Northern Ireland Executive made a pledge in November to provide free school meals in holidays until Easter 2022.In Wales, the provision of free school meals during the holidays has been extended by a year, and the Northern Ireland Executive made a pledge in November to provide free school meals in holidays until Easter 2022.
In Scotland - where holiday provision is currently promised up to Easter 2021 - both the SNP and the Scottish Conservatives have pledged to fund free school meals for all primary school pupils during term-time and holidays if they win the 2021 Scottish election.In Scotland - where holiday provision is currently promised up to Easter 2021 - both the SNP and the Scottish Conservatives have pledged to fund free school meals for all primary school pupils during term-time and holidays if they win the 2021 Scottish election.