Companies in Suffolk are offering free or cheaper summer meals to children over summer holidays
This is to help with the cost of living crisis
As the school holidays approach more companies in Suffolk are coming forward with free or cheap meals for children to help with the cost of living crisis.
According to The Office for National Statistics food and non-alcoholic beverages rose by 16.9% from 2021 to 2022
And food prices had risen consistently for the 17 months up to December 2022.
Simon Wallwork is the Eastern representative for Premier Inn and restaurants for Whitbread.
They are offering free breakfasts for 2 children with one adult breakfast and £1 dinners for children when a adult meal is bought.
He told us why it was important to them to have this offer available.
"We know how difficult and expensive it can be keeping kids busy during the summer holidays... The cost of living crisis is making generally life tougher for families.
"So what we're doing here is offering the opportunity to save money where it counts and that will mean that they can enjoy not just filling up the family before a great day out and there's some holidays, but actually it's enjoying a bit of a treat and enjoying some well deserved time together."
He also told us as a business they "really believe in doing the right thing" and things like this can help take some of the pressure off parents this summer and anyone else who wants to use this service.
Simon has children of his own and so he understands the importance of sitting down together, having a family meal and spending some time together.
"It's a space where you can just let the shoulders relax and forget about the stresses and strains of the every day because you know you're gonna get a great value meal or great value night sleep."
We also spoke about how these offers will provide food that some families can't afford right now. "the meals for the kids are nutritionally balanced. We work with a nutritionist who makes sure that parents can feel comfortable about what their kids are putting in their bodies, and there's really something for everybody as well."