More than 550,000 free meals have been provided to low-income Londoners over Easter holidays in partnership with the Mayor’s Fund for London and The Felix Project, new figures have revealed.
The meals were given at community hubs and centres to help low-income people during the two-week school holiday.
Recently, mayor Sadiq Khan announced an emergency package of more than £3.5 million to fund around 10 million meals during school holidays and at weekends over the next year.
The funding includes £3.1m to expand the ready-made and cook-at-home meal provision during school holidays.
Additionally, £425,000 will be provided to The Felix Project to expand its capacity, and allow it to deliver food on Saturdays, as well as during the week.
Khan has urged the government to do more to tackle the spiralling cost of living and the challenge of children going hungry in the holidays by increasing funding to ensure that all children in food-insecure households in London can access food.
The government’s criteria excludes approximately half of children in food-insecure households, while the funding that is provided does not stretch far enough, the statement added.
“I’m hugely proud that thanks to funding from City Hall more than 550,000 free meals were provided to families in London over the Easter holidays," the mayor said.
“It simply isn’t right that so many Londoners are struggling to put food on the table due to the spiralling cost of living and food prices. That’s why I provided emergency funding that will see millions more meals provided to hundreds of thousands of Londoners most in need over the course of the next year.
“I will continue to do all I can to support low-income Londoners as we build a fairer London for everyone," he added.
Jim Minton, chief executive, Mayor’s Fund for London, said: “Free meals were provided through over 500 community organisations across all 33 London boroughs, and included holiday meals and activities, low-cook recipe boxes and also hot nutritious ready-meals, which would have made a big difference particularly as the weather has been cold and wet.
"As food and energy prices continue to rise for London’s families, this provision is vital in reaching those most in need."
Charlotte Hill OBE, CEO of The Felix Project said: “This partnership is vital and will make sure for the next year, food that would otherwise have gone to waste, is instead providing a safety net to those on low-incomes, who are experiencing food insecurity.”
Bob Blackman MP speaks during the event