Cornish businesses step in to offer kids free school meals

A number of businesses and community groups across Cornwall have stepped in to ensure children from low-income families don't go hungry this half term.

All six of Cornwall’s Conservative MPs voted against a motion put forward by the Labour Party on Wednesday 21st October, calling for free school meals to be extended into half term and the Christmas school holidays.

The motion had been inspired by calls led by Manchester United and England footballer Marcus Rashford who has been leading a campaign to improve access to free school meals for children.

Rashford himself relied on free school meals while growing up and has been urging the Government to extend the offer during school holidays, particularly with families being hit financially by the coronavirus crisis.

A similar campaign earlier this year saw the Government perform a U-turn and extend support over the summer.

When asked to explain why they voted against the extension, George Eustice, MP for Camborne and Redruth, said:

“Free school meals have always been a term-time provision, and there are other ways of providing support throughout the year.

"FareShare was one of the recipients of a £16m frontline charities grant from Defra earlier this year. This enabled them to provide millions of meals to the most vulnerable in our society.

“We have provided £9.3 billion of additional welfare support to help those most in need, and £63 million in additional funding for councils to help those struggling to afford food and other essentials.

"We have taken steps to overcome barriers to the redistribution of surplus food. We also provided vouchers through the Covid Summer Food Fund, in addition to healthy meals and activities to around 50,000 children this summer."

George Eustice, MP for Camborne and Redruth

Now, community groups have come together along with pubs, cafes and restaurants across Cornwall to provide children free packed lunches or meals at their establishments.

Their efforts have not gone unnoticed as the footballer has has spent the day retweeting businesses, community groups and councils across the Duchy and the rest of the UK, who have committed to offering free food for children from low-income families.

Among those taking part in continuing the free school meal scheme across the Duchy include:

• The Old Cheese Shop, Truro

• Castle Beach Cafe, Falmouth

• Cafe CHAOS, Truro

• Lanivet Inn, Bodmin

• Kernow Asset Protection & Recovery

• The Crown Inn, Penzance

• The Refill Shop, Truro and Goonhavern

• Smokey Joe's Cafe, Redruth

• The Searoom, St Ives

• The Rock Inn, Roche

• The Tavern Inn, Newquay

• Welcome Stranger, Bodmin

• Rosie's Kitchen, Bude

• The Windjammer Cafe and Bar, Falmouth

• Pavilion Street Kitchen, Perranporth

• The Village Chip Shop, Cubert

• Portbyhan Hotel and Restaurant, Looe

• The Finnygook Inn, Torpoint

• The Cornubia Inn, Hayle

• Betty Cottles Inn, Okehampton

• Zamans, Newquay

• The Garden, Newquay

• Orient Chinese Take Away, Newquay

• The Ship Inn, Par

• The Victory Inn, St Mawes

• Kings Arms, St Austell

• Ann's Pasties, Helston

• SpiceSea Modern Indian and Eastern Street Foods, Wadebridge

• The Crib Stop, Camborne

• Cobweb Inn, Boscastle

• Costcutter, Carbis Bay, Camborne, Portreath, Penbeagle

• Readymoney Beach Shop, Fowey is offering a free lunch to go (pasty/sausage roll, juice carton, biscuit) to children who attend Fowey Preschool, Fowey Primary and Fowey River Academy and who are, or would be, eligible for free school meals.

• Park Road Stores, Fowey is offering assistance to anyone in need who contacts them direct.

• Coastal Cafe, Treyarnon bay car park

• Sharon’s Plaice Take Away, Boscastle

• Koffi Lodge, Gunnislake

If your businesses is taking part and you're not on the list, email us at news@piratefm.co.uk

• child food poverty
• Marcus Rashford
• cornwall council