As Government blasted over free school meals parcels, here's what £30 can actually buy

Families who are eligible for free school meals can choose between food parcels or vouchers while schools are shut during lockdown.

The Government’s Free School Meals allocation to schools is £11.50 per pupil per week but schools can claim an extra £3.50 per week for each eligible pupil receiving lunch parcel provision at home - a total of £15 per child.

There was widespread outrage after one mum posted a picture on Twitter of a parcel said to be from education food service company Chartwells showing what was supposed to be £30 worth of food to last ten days – but which she estimated to be worth around five pounds.

Manchester United footballer Marcus Rashford posted a picture showing ‘woefully inadequate’ supplies received by one family, while our MPs have all spoken on the issue.

PM Boris Johnson said some free school meal packages are “a scandal and a disgrace” but insisted they do not reflect the Government guidance.

So, assuming you’re a family with two kids, how much can you actually get for £30?

We sent reporter Kevin Clark to visit a North East supermarket to see how far that amount could go. Here’s how he got on:

The whole idea was to see how far we would stretch our money, while still providing decent, nourishing kid-friendly food that could keep children going through the day and help them make the most of their studies.

I prioritised value for money, so we skipped the luxury lines in favour of buying a good range of basics that could be used to provide wholesome and tasty meals. Jaffa Cakes yes (everyone deserves a little treat), Belgian chocolates no.

The aim was to get a mix of fresh fruit and veg with store cupboard essentials that could be used repeatedly in different combinations, such as rice and couscous, and would keep for a good while.

And with parents working from home or supervising lessons, mum and dad’s time is at a premium too – so convenience was also a major factor.

I think it shows you could get a whole lot more for £30 than these food parcels we’ve seen on-line contain – own-brand beans are 25p a tin if bought as a multipack and you can pick up a kilo of carrots for just 40p as long as you’re not that fussy how they look – so give the wonky veg a little love.

The total spend came to £30.05 – including 80p for the four carrier bags needed to carry the haul home.

Kevin bought:

Four packs of instant noodles £1.20

Four tins of chopped tomatoes £1.35

300g of cooked ham £1.20

One pack of Jaffa Cakes 75p

500 of couscous 70p

100g of Chedder cheesesticks £1.25

Two tins of chicken soup 90p

Two fresh chicken breasts £1.70

Five bananas 80p

One tin tuna £1.05

Three tins sweetcorn £1.30

One white loaf 55p

Four tins baked beans £1

2kg rice £2.30

2l diet cola 45p

Six small apples 85p

Pasta bake sauce 75p

Butter £1.50

A jar of pesto 90p

A jar of sweet and sour sauce 80p

Six yogurts £1

Six eggs 90p

500g porridge oats 60p

Four baking potatoes 45p

Two pints of milk 80p

A multi-pack of crisps 85p

1L fresh orange juice £1.25

One large cheese and tomato pizza £1.70

1kg carrots 40p

All non-perishable items bought will be donated to a North East food bank.

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