School holidays: Top tips for parents in Lancashire struggling with rising food costs

As kids break up for the summer holidays, cash-strapped parents in Lancashire are being offered six simple ways to cut down on food costs as household budgets come under increasing pressure.

A personal finance expert has shared their top tips for cash-strapped families to navigate food bills during the summer holidays, from the "golden" times to shop for yellow sticker items to checking the price per unit of shelf items.

With food price inflation remaining high and many parents facing additional childcare costs, families are expected to spend an average of £1,145 per child over the summer break.

In fact, a study found that 88 per cent of parents found the summer holidays place both financial and emotional pressure on families, with nearly three in five stating it’s the most challenging time of year - even ahead of Christmas.

To help households stretch their budgets over the long summer holidays, Maxine McCreadie, a spokesperson at UK Debt Expert, has shared six practical tips to cut down on food costs, from batch cooking meals in advance to the “golden” times to hunt for yellow sticker items.

Here are some of her top tips:

Batch cooking and freezing

Batch cooking is one of the most efficient ways to make the most of the food shop. Preparing hearty meals in advance that can be frozen and reheated throughout the week means you’ll be relying less on expensive last-minute supermarket trips.

Freezing perishable items before their use-by date can also help you reduce food waste and save money in the long run.”

Savvy yellow sticker hunting

The classic hunt for yellow sticker items can be a tricky one to navigate if you aren’t aware of the “golden” times to shop.

Supermarkets often need to throw away items on a Sunday due to an early closing time, so make sure to head down around 3pm to get the best deals. A weekday evening can also be a great opportunity to bag a bargain with chilled food and bakery items typically reduced around 8pm.

Check supermarkets and cafes offering discounted meals

Check online via social media for information on the supermarkets offering free or cheap meals for kids over the summer holidays.

ASDA cafes are continuing to offer the “Kids eat for £1” deal, where children under 16 can receive a hot or cold meal for just £1, including a free piece of fruit.

Use the Great British Summer Savings scheme

“The Government’s Great British Summer Savings scheme is another way to get a deal on a meal out, with VAT cuts on restaurants allowing meals to be sold at a discounted rate.

“Places such as Pizza Express, Harvester and Nandos are taking part in the scheme, as well as a number of attractions across the country to enjoy a cheaper day out over the summer.”

Utilise loyalty cards

Compare supermarket loyalty schemes to see which ones offer the best discounts and promotions to help reduce your food bill.

Many supermarkets also provide app-exclusive offers and personalised discounts that aren’t always advertised in store; whether it’s 20 per cent off an item or points towards a freebie, it’s also worth checking the app regularly to make the most of the available savings.

Check the price-per-unit of shelf items

Larger packs do not always offer better value. Checking the price per gram or per item can help shoppers make more informed decisions and avoid paying more than necessary.

It’s easy to assume bigger means better value, but that’s not always the case. Looking at unit pricing is one of the simplest ways to make sure you’re getting the best deal!