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Free school meals: Mother's 'sadness' at 'mean' food parcel Free school meals: Mother's 'sadness' at 'mean' food parcel
(about 1 hour later)
England and Man Utd footballer Marcus Rashford is a high-profile campaigner for children on free school mealsEngland and Man Utd footballer Marcus Rashford is a high-profile campaigner for children on free school meals
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.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.
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."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."
Chartwells, the firm which supplied the parcel, has apologised.Chartwells, the firm which supplied the parcel, has apologised.
The education secretary said schools would be able to offer vouchers rather than food parcels from next week. The education secretary said schools will be able to offer vouchers rather than food parcels from next week.
Gavin Williamson told the education select committee on Wednesday that he was "absolutely disgusted" by the photo of the food parcel's contents, and that his department had made it clear "this sort of behaviour is just not right [and] will not be tolerated".Gavin Williamson told the education select committee on Wednesday that he was "absolutely disgusted" by the photo of the food parcel's contents, and that his department had made it clear "this sort of behaviour is just not right [and] will not be tolerated".
He said the government would "support any school that needs to take action" and "name and shame those that are not delivering against the standards" set by the Department for Education.He said the government would "support any school that needs to take action" and "name and shame those that are not delivering against the standards" set by the Department for Education.
Food parcels have been sent to pupils in England who would normally be eligible for free school meals while schools are closed during the coronavirus lockdown.Food parcels have been sent to pupils in England who would normally be eligible for free school meals while schools are closed during the coronavirus lockdown.
The national voucher scheme would provide supermarket vouchers through an online portal. The government had previously used this scheme during the first lockdown.The national voucher scheme would provide supermarket vouchers through an online portal. The government had previously used this scheme during the first lockdown.
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 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.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.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"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.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."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."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?""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.
Jack Monroe: Free school meals "replaced with a poverty picnic"Jack Monroe: Free school meals "replaced with a poverty picnic"
The initial social media images of food parcels drew widespread criticism.The initial social media images of food parcels drew widespread criticism.
Footballer Marcus Rashford, a high-profile campaigner for children on free school meals, shared images of some parcels online, calling them "not good enough".Footballer Marcus Rashford, a high-profile campaigner for children on free school meals, shared images of some parcels online, calling them "not good enough".
After a meeting with the company, he said: "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." He met with the company and tweeted on Wednesday that he had spoken to Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who had assured him that "he is committed to correcting the issue", and that a "full review of the supply chain is taking place".
'What am I supposed to do with one potato?'
Rachel said she was not 'impressed' with the amount of food in one parcel she received
Rachel Rodgers, a mother of three children aged 14, eight, and five, said she was not "impressed" with the amount of food provided in a parcel for her youngest child.
Rachel, from Essex, says: "I got so much more with the vouchers. I always looked for meat and vegetables on offer at the supermarket, so I made the vouchers stretch even more.
"What am I supposed to do with one potato?"
Rachel, who receives food parcels for two youngest children and a voucher for her eldest, says it would have been "nice to get a little more" food, adding that "even sandwich meat would have been good".
'It's disheartening'
One mother said she was 'disappointed' by the food parcel she received for her two children, who are at secondary school
One mother of three says she was "disappointed" by the contents of food parcels.
The mum, who does not want to be identified, says the food box she received for two of her children at secondary school contained sliced frozen bread "[which] did not stay fresh"; two slices of cheese that [were] "hard and taste disgusting", as well as beans, tinned tomatoes, apples, pasta and potatoes.
She says her youngest child, who is in primary school, received a parcel of five rolls "that were going stale", grated cheese, three packs of crackers, five yoghurts and packs of biscuits.
The mother adds: "It is a good job I already had some cheese and bacon in the fridge, because this is disheartening.
"We have never had support feeding our children through the holidays even when I was young. We need help now."
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer tweeted that the food appeared to be "woefully inadequate" and said it needed "sorting immediately".Labour 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".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".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".
Lockdown meals teacher restarts deliveriesLockdown meals teacher restarts deliveries
Inside Rashford's campaign to tackle child hungerInside Rashford's campaign to tackle child hunger
'I remember going to bed with hunger pains''I remember going to bed with hunger pains'
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".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".
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 considerationsParcels 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 foodsMinimise 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 weekContain 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 mealsNot rely on parents having additional ingredients at home to prepare meals
Not contain items restricted under the school food standardsNot 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-contaminationCater 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 sizesContain appropriate packaging sizes for household use, rather than wholesale sizes
Source: Department for EducationSource: Department for Education
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.