Family-owned northern supermarket chain Booths, which has a store in Keswick, is to support local schools by ensuring pupils receive vital food vouchers during the Coronavirus epidemic.
Although Booths, which has stores in Cumbria, Lancashire, Yorkshire, Cheshire and Greater Manchester, is not listed on the Edenred scheme as this is closed to new partnerships the company recognises that many families will rely on the supermarket chain for their shopping.
“We’re aware from our work with the Cumbria Community Foundation that many families are struggling to access school meal vouchers locally, so we’re here to support local schools to ensure their pupils are able to access food vouchers during these very difficult times,” said Liz McEvoy, Retail Operations Manager for Booths.
The government-funded vouchers are available to children normally eligible for free school meals to ensure they can continue to access meals while at home. Schools can now provide every eligible child with a weekly shopping voucher worth £15 to spend at supermarkets while schools are closed due to coronavirus.
Head teachers who require free food vouchers for pupils should contact their local Booths store.
Ms McEvoy added: “Booths operates at the very heart of local communities and we’re here to help and work with local schools to ensure families get the food they need.”
