Morrisons update customers on running of stores in pandemic
Morrisons has announced that it will increase the capacity of its meal delivery service for children eligible for free school meals. Food boxes will be delivered to thousands of children while schools in England remain closed during lockdown.
The Morrisons School Meal Box costs £15 and provides at least £15 worth of food to the children who need it most.
Schools in England can claim back the costs from the Government as part of the free school meals programme.
Thanks to Morrisons’ partnership with parcel delivery service company DPD, families will receive a meal box on their doorsteps and will not have to pay for delivery charge.
The boxes have been developed with the help of the supermarket’s nutritionist Dr Hayley Marson, who ensured that the food inside is nutritious and tasty.
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The items include at least five portions of fruit and veg, a loaf of wholemeal bread, a box of cereal, two tins of tuna, pasta, long life milk, and more.
This is enough food to provide a child with five breakfasts and five lunches.
Morrisons’ stores in England have been working with their local schools since November to provide breakfasts and lunches for children who would normally be eligible for free-school meals.
However, now, the number of the retailer’s meal boxes will be increased to tens of thousands and delivered on a weekly basis.
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Since England joined Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland in a national lockdown in early January, schools throughout the UK have remained closed.
On January 4, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced that children will have to learn from home until schools re-open after the February half-term at the earliest.
Mr Johnson said that the Government would provide “extra support” to ensure pupils eligible for free school meals would continue to receive them during lockdown.
However, initiatives like the Morrisons School Meal Box have been helping to make this happen since last year.
Rebecca Singleton, Customer and Community Director at Morrisons, said: “Since November, schools have been telling us they’ve had difficulty getting free school meals to children as many parents cannot get to a supermarket during the pandemic.
“Our Morrisons School Meals Boxes will ensure that children are getting good quality, nutritional food delivered directly to their door,” she added.
The scheme also has the full support of footballer and activist Marcus Rashford, MBE.
Last November, it was Mr Rashford’s tireless campaigning on child hunger that pushed the Government to extend free school meals to children from low-income families during school holidays in England.
The Manchester United and England footballer said: “Morrisons has acted by example in covering the deficit caused by children isolating and now acting to guarantee children on free school meals receive the substance and nutrition that they require and deserve during what is a difficult time for all.
“A big thank you to all involved.”
Morrisons’ food boxes are available to order on the supermarket’s website now.
Boxes are delivered Monday to Friday and when ordered before 10am are delivered the next working day.
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