More than two thirds of teachers in London are concerned children will experience holiday hunger, a survey has found.
The survey, commissioned by food redistribution charity The Felix Project and carried out by Teacher Tapp, found that some 68 per cent of teachers are concerned at least one child in their class will experience hunger in the summer holidays as their parents and carers cannot afford to feed them.
For the survey, 1,118 teachers in the capital were asked about holiday hunger, 47 per cent of whom said they are concerned between one and three children in their class will go hungry - this could equate to 104,000 children.
Nationally, results found were very similar as teachers again expressed concern children in their class will go hungry, affecting an estimated 645,000 school children.
CEO of the Felix Project Charlotte Hill OBE said: “That any child might experience hunger and not have access to enough nutritious food during the school holidays is heart-breaking. However, through these results we can see there are many teachers out there worried up to 6 children per class may be in this position – that’s beyond heart-breaking, that’s shameful for our society.”
The issue of food affordability has exacerbated in recent years due to the cost of living crisis which The Felix Project has responded to by delivering food to 170 schools weekly.
One of the schools in line to receive support over the summer is Mandeville Primary School in Hackney which believes 60 per cent of its students go hungry. Its three sites receive food during term time, which is used to stock a weekly free shop, open to all parents and deliveries are to continue during the six-week holidays.
Headteacher Marc Thompson said: “We are doing all we can to support parents and carers during the holidays, when we know many struggle to afford to buy enough food, but sadly there may still be some children that end up going hungry and missing out on the nutrition they need.
“The food we get from The Felix Project is vital for us to try and prevent holiday hunger and ensure our pupils enjoy their summer break and come back feeling ready and energised for the new term.”
The Felix Project work to feed children and families, often in partnership with London Mayor Sadiq Khan. Their collaboration last year summer saw the trust and City Hall deliver the equivalent of 3.6 million meals to children in London.Mr Khan said: “It is deeply concerning that so many children are facing hunger during the school holidays due to the cost-of-living-crisis created by the previous Government. That's why I’ve stepped forward to provide funding to help partners deliver healthy, nutritious meals during all school holidays, in addition to providing free school meals to all state primary schools in London during term time.
“I am determined to ensure that no parent or child in the capital goes hungry and am looking forward to working hand-in-hand with the new government to build a fairer London for everyone.”
