Portsmouth families urged to sign up for free school meals for children if eligible
FAMILIES of children who are eligible for free school meals are being reminded they are still entitled to food during the coronavirus pandemic.
Despite closures, schools in Portsmouth are still providing free school meals in a variety of ways including the government’s food voucher scheme, food parcels or a daily ‘grab and go’ meal.
Parents and carers whose children are eligible but who are not currently receiving free school meals, are advised to contact their child’s school to arrange access.
Portsmouth City Council’s education boss, Councillor Suzy Horton, said: ‘I would like to thank all the Portsmouth schools, suppliers and staff who have worked so hard to keep the free school meals service running even when schools are closed to the majority of children.
‘I would urge all parents and carers of eligible children to contact their school if they are not receiving the meals they are entitled to. Good nutrition plays a very important role in supporting children’s mental and physical health, especially during these very unusual times.’
Families entitled to free school meals include those on a range of benefits such as income support, jobseekers allowance and universal credit among others.
Any parent or carer who believes their child might be eligible for free school meals can find more information and apply online via www.portsmouth.gov.uk/fsmapplication.