Sysco GB and Meals & More have teamed up to brief parliamentarians on the growing child food poverty crisis facing the UK, and to call on the Government for further support.

The Tackling Food Poverty event, which took place on 22 October, saw MPs, Lords and Westminster colleagues hear about the progress being made to end holiday hunger and the significant hurdles that still need to be overcome.

Ahead of the November budget, it provided the opportunity to talk to MPs about the urgent reforms that are required to strengthen the Holiday, Activities and Food Programme (HAF), which provides the basis for the Government’s response to child hunger in school holidays.

Sharon Hodgson, MP, who sponsored the event, said: “I was pleased to host Sysco and Meals & More in Parliament for this vital issue. As Chair of the APPG on School Food, I have long championed the importance of ensuring every child has access to nutritious meals – not just during term time, but throughout the holidays too. There is a clear and urgent need to strengthen the HAF programme and extend its reach to all children living in poverty. Feeding children is the foundation for their health, wellbeing and ability to thrive in education and beyond.”

Meals & More Chair of Trustees, Richard Cooper. said: “We are committed to tackling child hunger and isolation during school holidays. And that means going beyond our direct support for the organisations that provide children with safe and fulfilling activities, to engaging our MPs and policy makers on the wider challenges. We are reassured by the engagement across the House and the support for our call on the Government to extend the HAF to match the eligibility for free school meals in September – reaching millions more children.”

Sysco GB CEO Paul Nieduszynski said: “Meals & More has provided more than 2.9 million meals over the last ten years. Sadly, it’s clear that there’s much further to go. We need to double down on support for children over the holidays when the safety net of the school system is missing. I’m delighted that Sysco continues to play its part in supporting the work of Meals & More, and to have joined the team at this important event, as it echoes our company purpose which is to share food and care for one another.”

Meals & More was founded by Brakes, a Sysco company, ten years ago and continues to support more than 400 holiday clubs across the UK, supporting provision of healthy meals and enriching activities.