Food and Fun is a school-based education programme that provides food and nutrition education, physical activity, enrichment sessions and healthy meals to children during the school summer holidays.
Since its initial launch in 2015, the scheme has developed into a national, fully funded Welsh Government programme as part of the School Holiday Enrichment Programme (SHEP).
About 60 children took part in the scheme at Pantside Primary School in Newbridge.
Mother-of-two Samantha Harding, whose daughter attended the sessions, said the cost of living crisis meant things were “tighter and tighter” financially with each passing month.
She now works more hours which means less time with her family.
The Food and Fun scheme was a “massive help financially”, she said, as it takes the pressure off feeding her daughter twice a day every day over the summer.
Ellie Sage, teacher at Pantside Primary said she did not mind giving up some of her holiday to work on the scheme.
“It’s nice because you get to meet and interact with the children that I might not necessarily have that opportunity to on a daily basis,” she added.
Cllr Carol Andrews, Cabinet Member for Education commented, “The Food and Fun programme is designed to bring positive outcomes for participating young people and their families by providing opportunities to socialise, learn and enjoy delicious nutritious meals.
“This scheme offers guidance on food and nutrition for the whole family as well as the financial relief to parents.”
