There are 4.1 million¹ children living in food poverty in the UK, which can make it difficult for vulnerable children to consume a healthy and balanced diet, as defined by the government’s Eatwell Guide². Lately, child food poverty and free school meals (FSMs) have been rightfully in the news headlines, so it is important to understand what issues are related to child food poverty and what we can do to help tackle the problem so that no child goes hungry.

References 

[1] https://cpag.org.uk/ 

[2] https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-eatwell-guide 

[3] https://foodfoundation.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Affordability-of-the-Eatwell-Guide_Final_Web-Version.pdf 

[4] https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/health-matters-obesity-and-the-food-environment/health-matters-obesity-and-the-food-environment--2 

[5] https://cpag.org.uk/child-poverty/effects-poverty 

[6] https://foodfoundation.org.uk/millions-of-uk-children-are-impacted-by-food-poverty/ 

[7]https://cpag.org.uk/sites/default/files/Going%20Hungry%20young%20peoples%20experiences%20of%20Free%20School%20Meals.pdf 

[8] https://foodfoundation.org.uk/vulnerable_groups/food-foundation-polling-third-survey-five-weeks-into-lockdown/ 

[9] https://www.gov.uk/government/news/voucher-scheme-launches-for-schools-providing-free-school-meals 

[10] https://www.crowdjustice.com/case/dont-let-children-go-hungry/ 

[11] https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-53065806 

[12] https://foodfoundation.org.uk/jumping-the-hurdle-of-holiday-hunger/ 

[13] https://homeofficemedia.blog.gov.uk/2020/05/05/no-recourse-to-public-funds-nrpf/ 

[14] https://www.schoolfoodplan.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/School_Food_Plan_2013.pdf

Researched & written by: Valeria Folco (BSc Hons Nutrition)