Bedford mayor unveils free school meals scheme over Christmas

The mayor Dave Hodgson is rolling out a scheme to make sure all children in Bedford can stay fed over Christmas.

As part of the free school meal food voucher programme, families with children on income-related free school meals will be given supermarket vouchers.

He said: “No child in Bedford borough should go hungry. That’s why we’ve moved swiftly to set up this scheme and get food vouchers into the hands of families whose children normally have free school meals when they are at school.

“During these difficult times people think of those in our community who need help the most, especially children. That’s why Marcus Rashford’s campaign was so powerful.

“True to form the government denied the need to support children during the holidays for as long as they could, before finally U-Turning. Now, as part of our package of winter support, the voucher scheme will help ensure there’s food on the table for all children in Bedford borough this Christmas.”

The council has issued the supermarket vouchers directly via email to families eligible for income-related free school meals. Families have been provided with a single voucher to the value of £30 per eligible child, to cover the two-week Christmas holiday period .

Any Bedford resident with children whose circumstances have changed and who think they may be eligible for support is encouraged to visit Bedford Borough Council’s website here