If you are claiming certain benefits, you could save money by claiming free school meals for your child, visit https://www.valeofglamorgan.gov.uk/en/living/schools/school_meals/Free-School-Meals.aspx to see if you are eligible and how to apply.

Pregnant or have children under the age of four? 

Healthy Start vouchers are free and can be used to spend on milk, plain fresh and frozen fruit and vegetables, and infant formula milk. You can also get free vitamins. 

Find out if you qualify to receive them, how to apply and which retailers accept them at: https://www.healthystart.nhs.uk/

Here’s a quick breakdown to check if you’re eligible and how you can spend them.

Foodbanks provide a short-term solution for families struggling to access healthy food. If you find that you are facing financial crisis and are in need of emergency food, call 01446 735 444 to speak to Pobl, a referral agency partner of Vale Foodbank about getting a voucher. For more information, visit: https://vale.foodbank.org.uk/

Food and Fun is a school based programme, providing good quality healthy meals, nutrition skills and sports education and activities to children during school summer holidays. To find out if your child’s school runs Food and Fun or to register interest, speak to your school.

Whilst many of us may be cooking more from scratch and saving money by using up leftovers, you may have noticed a big increase in food and energy bills. If this is resulting in financial hardship, find out more about the Discretionary Assistance Fund at: https://gov.wales/discretionary-assistance-fund-daf