School holidays are notoriously expensive, putting already stretched household budgets under increasing pressure and the past year has been tougher than most, as the cost of living continues to rise.
In response, supermarkets and retailers have been helping families keep the costs of school holidays as low as possible and February half term is proving to be no different, with Tesco, Asda, M&S and others all bringing back kids meal deals and other money-saving initiatives.
Research from leading food charity The Food Foundation shows that 4 million children in UK households are currently affected by food insecurity, the highest level recorded since the start of the pandemic.
We round up the retailers and brands helping households keep the costs of school holidays to a minimum over the coming week.
Tesco – Kids Eat Free
Tesco is bringing back its popular Kids Eat Free scheme to its 312 cafés across the UK over the February half-term period.
From 13 to 24 February, all cafes at the UK’s leading supermarket will be offering one free Kids Hot Meal Deal, Kids Breakfast or Kids Pick ‘n’ Mix deal with one item bought by an adult if they show their Clubcard at the till.
Last year, Tesco provided more than 418,000 free meals to children during the school holidays across all 312 of its supermarket cafes.
Jason Tarry, Tesco UK CEO, said: “We know that household budgets can be stretched over the school holidays, so offering free meals to children when they’re off school is one of the ways we can support families during this time.”
Asda – £1 Kids Meal Deal
Asda is adding to its popular £1 kids meal deal initiative with free warm breakfasts over the half-term break as part of an exclusive partnership with Quaker Oats.
Over 50,000 free bowls of porridge are expected to be served throughout February half term, as children will be able to get a free bowl of Quaker porridge from 8am to 12pm every day.
Asda’s original £1 kids meal deal – which was introduced to support customers during the school holidays as they look to manage the rising cost-of-living – has seen 1.1 million kids’ meals being served since June 2022.
“We know when families are preparing for the school holidays it can often mean an additional strain on household budgets,” said Asda chief commercial officer Kris Comerford.
“We remain as committed as ever to supporting our customers in tackling these tough times. Our café initiatives continue to provide a lifeline for over 1.5 million customers since we launched them last year, and we hope by offering a free warm breakfast in the February half term, it will help support many more in the coming weeks.”
Aldi – Activity books and snacks
Aldi has donated 10,000 activity books to UK charities to help keep children entertained during February half-term.
The books will be shared with families nationwide and include games, activities and recipe ideas for kids, with the German discounter also donating a selection of snacks alongside.
“We want to support local communities in any way we can, and we hope these activity books will help to keep children entertained over the school holidays,” corporate responsibility director at Aldi UK, Liz Fox said.
The initiative is part of Aldi’s partnership with community giving platform Neighbourly, which sees the supermarket donate surplus food from all its stores throughout the year to those in need.
Iceland – Free School Meal vouchers
Iceland Foods are introducing a new half-term savings initiative through free school meal vouchers. From today, customers who visit stores with the e-gift cards and scan their bonus card will receive additional savings worth over 13%.
Eligible customers will receive a £15 voucher per child from their schools or local councils and can scan their bonus card and receive £2 back to use on their next shop.
“Supporting families continues to be a high priority for Iceland,” said executive chairman at Iceland, Richard Walker.
“With this in mind, we’re keen to help ease pressures on families during the half term period through not only providing additional value to this excellent government scheme, but also reminding and encouraging families to use these vouchers over the break,” Walker commented.
M&S – Kids Eat Free
Back due to popular demand, M&S is bringing back its kids eat free scheme this week.
The offer will run from 13 February to 24 February 2023 allowing kids to get a free Munch Meal, which usually retails for £4, when customers spend £5 or more in a single transaction on non-kids food or drink.
“We know how much parents and carers have to think about during half term, as well as keeping little one’s tums full,” said M&S marketing and hospitality director Sharry Cramond.
“I’m so pleased we are bringing back our Kids Eat Free deal at a time when we are all feeling the pinch.
Morrisons – Kids eat free and discounts on fuel
Kids can eat for free in Morrisons cafes nationwide all day, every day with every adult meal.
The offer applies with each adult meal ordered over £4.99 and can be used for children under 16. Youngsters can order from the kids menu or the chilled kids snack pack.
As well as the meal, children will receive a piece of fruit and Tropicana Kids Orange or Apple drink or bottle of water.
Morrisons is offering discounts on fuel this half-term. Running until 19 February, Morrisons shoppers will need to spend £35 in store to receive a coupon of 5p off every litre of fuel purchased.
This will be reedemable at all 339 of the supermarket giant’s petrol stations until Sunday 26 February.
allplants – Not At School Dinners
Plant-based food brand allplants – is continuing its Not At School Dinners campaign, which first launched in October half term last year.
The initiative will see the plant-powered food brand match a meal for every donation made by its community – delivering nearly 1,500 meals to families facing holiday hunger to their doorstep in North London.
It will continue throughout every school holiday until “the UK government finds a way to extend free school meals to children who need them in between term times”.
