Preston Council's campaign to end 'holiday hunger' through the city this summer

Preston Council is working through its Holiday Markets initiative to plug the nutritious food gap that exists for families and children on low or insecure incomes during school holidays.

Working with national charity FareShare, the council has developed the initiative and carried out pilots during February half term and Easter school holidays earlier in the year ahead of this summer’s efforts.

Leader of Preston City Council, Coun Matthew Brown, said: “School holidays can be a real burden to many families up and down the country, and right here in Preston.

“The cost of buying extra food and activities to entertain children for six weeks can be a worry. That’s why it’s a priority for the council to be supporting the Holiday Market initiative across the city as well as raising awareness of free and low cost events suitable for families."

With the earlier pilot sessions proving a success – with some 50 per cent of families saying the markets had a “big impact” on their budgets – the council is now helping faith organisations and community groups to deliver their own Holiday Markets throughout the six week summer holidays.

Coun Nweeda Khan, Cabinet member for communities and social justice, added: “This is a fantastic scheme taking place in areas across Preston where it’s needed most.

“Holiday Markets are not food banks, they have been developed to increase access to good food for families facing food insecurity, without judgement.

“We hope they prove valuable to Preston families and will become an integral part of the community calendar in the future.”