Wales celebrates 10 years of free school holiday meals and activities

The Food and Fun programme has reached its 10-year milestone in Wales. It provides free healthy meals and activities to children during school holidays across all 22 local authorities. The initiative is now a national effort funded by the Welsh Government and coordinated by the Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA). The scheme began as a small pilot by Cardiff Council. Over the past decade, it has grown into a Wales-wide programme. More than 800,000 places have been delivered since its launch, supporting tens of thousands of families.

This summer alone, 300 schools took part in the programme. Around 15,000 learners benefited from the free meals and activities. Lynne Neagle, Cabinet Secretary for Education, attended the 10-year celebratory awards to recognise its success.

Councillor Lis Burnett, WLGA Spokesperson for Education, highlighted the programme’s wide-reaching impact. She praised its role in helping children, families, and communities across Wales. The programme has expanded from a local trial to a national service. It continues to provide essential support during school breaks. Its success reflects a decade of commitment to improving children’s well-being in Wales.