Pictures of carrot stubs, halved tomatoes and diced onions have been shared on social media as parents reacted in anger at the free school meal parcels they have been receiving.
Households with children who would normally qualify for free school meals have been given the option of parcels to prepare at home as schools close for remote learning.
But there has been a furious backlash after parents shared photos of the paltry portions sent out.
Our school was disgusted by our caterers! Food in money bags!!! Pathetic carrot stub. @MarcusRashford pic.twitter.com/PKxSMrMsAV
— Lisa Tanner (@LisaMarieTanner) January 11, 2021
Several people have shared photos of ration-sized packages with vegetables even chopped down in the provisions.
Child poverty campaigner Marcus Rashford tweeted “just not good enough” as the pictures came to light, while others questioned how Chartwells, who were awarded the contract to distribute food, were allowed to get away with it.
Then imagine we expect the children to engage in learning from home. Not to mention the parents who, at times, have to teach them who probably haven’t eaten at all so their children can…
— Marcus Rashford MBE (@MarcusRashford) January 11, 2021
We MUST do better. This is 2021 https://t.co/mEZ6rCA1LE
#FreeSchoolMeals On the left £30 of food. On the right what private company Chartwells have supplied having been awarded a government contract to supply for £30 free school meals.
— MunchBunch (@Munchbunch87) January 11, 2021
Utterly shameful profiteering off some of the country's most disadvantaged kids! pic.twitter.com/XcmUm8qM1h
Which Tory donor was given the contract for this one? https://t.co/HyX3ev98mH
— Bell Ribeiro-Addy MP (@BellRibeiroAddy) January 11, 2021
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has this morning tweeted: “The images appearing online of woefully inadequate free school meal parcels are a disgrace.
“Where is the money going? This needs sorting immediately so families don’t go hungry through lockdown.”
The Department of Health said it was investigating after images posted on social media showed only a small number of food items sent to families in some council areas.
The Department for Education has said it is investigating images on social media purporting to show ‘free school meals’ sent to families during lockdown.
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