When I was a teacher, I could tell who had eaten breakfast before we took the register. If you could step into a classroom for those first 10 minutes of every day, you’d see more than just lessons starting – you’d see a snapshot of the local community.
Behind every register, every new day and every child, there is a story. I taught a little boy who lived in a single-parent household. His mum worked three jobs and, depending on her income, he would move in and out of eligibility for free school meals. During term time, school helped keep things together. But the six-week summer holidays could be incredibly challenging.
Holiday hunger is real. In the UK, 4.3 million children (30%) are growing up in poverty, and over the holidays food insecurity rises.
The good news? There’s so much we can do to help.
Share the low-hanging fruit
At Fearne & Rosie, we’re proud to work with FareShare, which does incredible work redistributing food to local charities and community groups.
Because of the support from our customers, retail partners and manufacturers, we’ve donated 5.1 tonnes of jam to FareShare Yorkshire. That’s support for hundreds of community projects and it can become thousands of breakfasts.
Imagine the impact if we all donated a little more stock and supported our local communities. Whether it’s through FareShare, local food banks or school partnerships, donating food, time and money is one of the most immediate, tangible ways to support families and communities during school holidays.
Perhaps your team could cover fuel costs for deliveries, share a vehicle or collaborate on summer campaigns that give back with every purchase. Asking local schools and community groups what they need is an opportunity for collaboration, and building on that wider community impact.
Make healthy options more affordable
Retailers also have a huge opportunity to help, and it’s amazing to see so many larger retailers sharing school holiday initiatives.
When schools close, feeding children falls entirely on families and the cost quickly adds up. Supermarkets can use their shelf space and promotions to make healthier, family-friendly staples more accessible.
Suppliers can get in on this too – we could share bundle deals on breakfast basics, using front-of-store placement for affordable fruit with clear signposting around lunchbox heroes and time-saving treats that are low in sugar.
Imagine a ‘holiday fun shelf’ filled with delicious, affordable, nutritious options. We could activate with recipe cards or QR codes sharing ideas for quick, low-cost meals the whole family could help to make. These small nudges can help make a big difference.
Educate, inspire and collaborate
Holiday hunger isn’t just about food, it’s about support. Too often families can feel shame when asking for help and so a little kindness goes a long way.
Education plays a crucial role. Brands can support this by sharing affordable recipes, creating meal plans, or working with schools and holiday clubs to offer fun, free, food-focused sessions. Helping families feel confident and capable is one of the most impactful things we can do.
The truth is, no one can solve holiday hunger alone. But every donation, campaign, or school partnership adds up. Every piece of fruit donated, every recipe shared, every child who eats breakfast instead of going without.
As a teacher, I saw what a hungry child looked like every day. As a parent, I know how tricky the holiday periods can be for families. And as a founder, I see the difference we can all make.
Rachel Kettlewell, founder of Fearne & Rosie
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