Morrisons to feed self-isolating school kids

The Bradford-based supermarket chain is working with schools to provide kids who would normally be eligible for free-school meals with breakfast, lunch and snacks, seven days a week, for as long as they are self-isolating.

Morrisons said schools have told the firm they have been struggling with the costs of food and delivery. Schools have also expressed concern that some pupils are missing out on vital support as a result of self-isolating.

The Morrisons Kids Meal Pack was created to help combat this and aims to provide healthy and balanced meals that have been developed in partnership with Morrisons' in-house nutritionist.

Many school children are being asked to self-isolate due to suspected or confirmed Covid-19 cases within their school bubbles.

The pack was produced by Morrisons after the firm reached out to schools to establish their needs. It includes cereal, milk, bread, fruit, yoghurts, sandwich fillings, pasta and squash.

It costs £12.50 for one child and provides breakfast, lunch and snacks for seven days a week. The cost will be covered by the school as part of the Government's free school meals programme.

Schools can order the Morrisons Kids Meal Pack directly from the Morrisons Doorstep Delivery Team. Orders are then picked and packed by local Morrisons stores, and sent to children’s homes via its doorstep delivery service. The retailer said thissaves the school time and costly transportation fees.

Nicole Olive, from the Morrisons Local Team, said: “Each of our stores is close to its local community to listen hard and understand its needs - and schools were saying they had difficulty getting free school meals to isolating children. We can put affordable and nutritious food on the table during this difficult time.”

Paula Duckworth, headteacher at Lammack Primary School where the scheme was trialled, said: “We were struggling to provide children eligible for free school meals with healthy and cost-effective food while they were self-isolating.

"So I was thankful to be contacted by Morrisons to see if this was something they could help with. The Morrisons Kids Meal Pack service has been such a lifeline for our kids.”

The Morrisons Kids Meal Pack is available nationwide now.

To place orders, school should email Morrisons Doorstep Delivery Team on [email protected].