In Wales, nearly one in four children are eligible for free school meals, with numbers increasing since the pandemic and the cost of living crisis.
To address holiday hunger, the Welsh Government will extend free school meal provision for eligible families through the Easter and Whitsun school holidays in a £9m package.
The package will offer eligible families direct payments, vouchers, or lunches throughout the holidays. Local councils will decide individually how best to administer the holiday school meal package in their local areas.
Wales became the first UK nation to guarantee free school meals for eligible families during the school holidays in 2020. Welsh Government data shows that 24% of primary school children and 20% of secondary-age children are eligible for free school meals.
Since the rollout of universal free school meals for primary-age children began in September 2022, more than three million meals have been served.
The Welsh Government will fund the extension of free school meal provision for children for lower-income families through the Easter and Whitsun school holidays as part of its co-operation agreement with Plaid Cymru.
The agreement also commits the Welsh Government to providing free school meals to all primary school children during term time by 2024.
Education Minister Jeremy Miles said the extension of free school holiday provision until May half term would give eligible families peace of mind.
He hopes that children and young people can enjoy their school holidays without worrying about being hungry. Siân Gwenllian, Plaid Cymru’s designated member, added that the co-operation agreement is delivering much-needed support for families to ensure children and young people get the best start in life.
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