During the school summer holidays, many parents are tasked with preparing meals at home, as children consume most of their meals on-site for six weeks. The rising cost of food products is presenting a significant challenge, with food prices increasing by 4.5% compared to the previous year. Parents have reported various strategies to help manage their food expenses.
One effective method includes stocking up on discounted items. Evelyn, a mother from Gorton, East Manchester, notes that buying reduced-price products is essential for keeping her family’s food costs manageable. She has been planning for the summer by filling her freezer with these items to accommodate her 12-year-old daughter and her son, who is home from university.
Another parent, Laura, who is currently unemployed and has three children, practices a system where meals are bagged daily to ensure proper distribution of food throughout the week. She emphasizes the importance of being organized and has found support from a local pantry that offers surplus food for a nominal fee, enabling her to provide varied meals for her children.
Colette, a mother juggling three jobs, also focuses on minimizing food waste and is strategic about managing her grocery budget. She explains that keeping food organized by use-by dates helps her family make the most of what they have available.
As families navigate these financial challenges, some are receiving assistance in the form of food vouchers and free meals through government programs. In England and Wales, low-income families can access free food through holiday schemes, while some councils provide food vouchers from the Household Support Fund. However, challenges persist, with rising rents and increased costs for summer childcare adding to financial burdens for many families.
With these strategies in play, how effectively can families adapt to the changing landscape of food affordability during the summer?
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4glpdp90w4o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss