A total of £2 million has been granted to fund Glasgow City Council’s holiday programme from summer 2024 to spring 2025. 

Earlier this year proposals for the scheme were sought from third sector organisations with 80 applications received requesting a total of £3,564,770.

During Thursday’s City Administration Committee (CAC) a list of the successful projects were brought before councillors, including Achieve More Scotland, FARE Scotland LTD and Well-Fed Scotland CIC, for approval.

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During the meeting questions were raised by a Labour councillor on how these organisations would meet the various dietary requirements of children and young people attending.  

Councillor Elaine McDougall said: “How much food is being allocated to kids with either gluten or dairy intolerance or any other allergies that they may have? 

“What percentage is being allocated for that because the food I see is mainly pizza, hot dogs, chicken nuggets and that isn’t suitable for everyone.

“There are more and more kids now who have different dietary requirements.”

Depute leader of the council, councillor Richard Bell, said: “Those are details that the organisations themselves are generally aware of and the kids that have different dietary requirements and they have the ability to provide that food.

“I don’t think we set specific targets for that.”

A council officer then confirmed that was the case and that following site visits had been made aware that some organisations have a vegetarian only menu. Councillors were advised that a balanced nutritional meal must be provided. 

Since summer 2018 Glasgow City Council has served up more than 2 million meals, snacks, and food parcels as part of its holiday food programme and has worked alongside its valued third sector organisations.

During the pandemic, the local authority was still able to use the funding to meet the needs of its most vulnerable citizens and families and delivered food parcels across the city during the restrictions.

The programme is now more important than ever to help address food poverty as the cost-of-living crisis affects all families in the city – by providing food and activities during the day to families it can help alleviate a bit of this pressure over the school holidays.

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Following the meeting, councillor Richard Bell, added: “In the six years that we have been running this programme, I am delighted that we have served up more than 2 million meals, snacks and food parcels to children and young people taking part in school holiday activities.

“We couldn’t have done this without the help of our third sector partners and today we announced the organisations – including new groups – who will deliver across the city this summer, October and Spring 25.

“The Holiday programme is a lifeline to so many of our families and especially as we all still feel the impact of the cost-of-living crisis.

“But above all else, the programme means fun for the hundreds of thousands of children who take part each time.”

A list of the programmes can be found HERE