Councillor seeks reassurance about quality of family food parcels
A senior councillor has called for reassurance that food parcels being sent out to disadvantaged Staffordshire families during the school holidays will contain healthy ingredients, following criticism of provisions in other parts of the country.
Several parents hit out on social media earlier this year about the contents of some parcels sent out as part of a Government scheme. They were given to families of children who would receive free lunches at school, but were unable to attend during the latest lockdown.
Now Staffordshire County Council is gearing up to distribute food supplies to eligible families over the Easter holidays, as well as offering activity sessions to keep them active during other school breaks later this year.
Councillor Mark Sutton, cabinet member for children and young people, told Wednesday’s cabinet meeting: “There will be a virtual scheme for Easter 2021, including delivery of recipe boxes with food supplies for up to a week, along with family hub activity kits which will include a range of practical resources relating to the five ways of wellbeing. These kits will include a selection of learning material which has a focus on physical activities, healthy food and nutritional education.
“It is anticipated that a small number of families will be invited to participate in the scheme over Easter, but with a significant expansion over the summer and Christmas this year.”
But fellow cabinet member Julia Jessel said: “There has been some criticism of the contents of some of these food packages. I’m a great advocate of interesting and healthy food and I recognise that sometimes getting children to eat food that is good for them isn’t necessarily always easy.
“I would seek the cabinet member’s assurance that he will review the contents of these food boxes. This is at the end of the day taxpayers’ money and a really good opportunity to educate children and their families how they can eat healthily and economically.
Headlines
“I would hate to see headlines any of our food boxes contain nothing other than what I call cheap, snacky-type food which is good for no-one.”
Councillor Jonathan Price, cabinet member for education and SEND (special educational needs and disabilities), responded: “Both Councillor (Mark) Deaville and I did some work previously around the contents of our food parcels within Staffordshire and I can say they were absolutely excellent and we were doing a good job with our partners. No concerns were raised there by myself or Councillor Deaville.
“I am extremely proud of the work we do in the county to support our children and young people.”
Councillor Sutton said: “Can I absolutely reassure Councillor Jessel that the contents of any food box the county council is responsible for, or has commissioned, I will ensure meet the requirements that Councillor Jessel has outlined.”
More than 64,000 £15 e-vouchers have also been provided to families in Staffordshire since summer 2020 to help them buy essentials. Staffordshire County Council is set to continue the voucher scheme during the Easter holidays too.
The authority has received £2.2m from the Department of Education to deliver a holiday activity and food programme during Easter, summer and Christmas breaks.
Councillor Sutton said: “Families can experience significant pressure points during school holidays, with reduced income and increased financial pressures because of the costs of food, childcare and other activities. Disadvantaged families are likely to experience unhealthy holidays in terms of nutrition and physical health, along with inequalities relating to social isolation and loneliness.
Welcomed
“The county council is planning to work with charities, community groups and other organisations to provide physical play, sport and youth sessions for the summer and Christmas. For four weeks of the summer holidays eligible children will be offered four hours of activity for four days a week and at Christmas the activity will be four hours a day for one week.”
Fellow cabinet members welcomed the holiday support schemes.
Councillor Philip White said: “It’s making sure they’re active and engaged. After such a long period away from school and structured, organised activities that’s going to be a real boon to schools that the children are going to continue through the holiday period being able to engage in those activities so they are back in September school-ready.
“It’s also looking after parents, and making sure that those who need to be back in the workplace have the opportunity to get their children into these activities. It’s taking away the worry for parents who might be concerned about putting food on the table.
“The other group it’s looking after is our hard-working school teachers and staff who need a break after what has been one heck of a year for them. Thank you very much to them for the incredible work that they have been doing during that time – they deserve a summer holiday and I’m really glad we’re going to be able to help them get one.”
Councillor Johnny McMahon said: “I think this is a great programme and I hugely endorse it. I’m particularly enlightened by the recipes with the food supplies so that children and families will be encouraged to cook.
“I like the idea it is linked to the NHS five ways of wellbeing – that’s exactly the right approach focusing on healthy activity, food and nutritional education.”
