Last week marked Nutrition & Hydration Week

A moment to reflect on the vital role that food & hydration play in our health and wellbeing. But for too many children across the UK, this isn’t just a conversation, it’s a daily reality.

Around 1 in 4 children are growing up facing food insecurity. This means that consistent access to healthy, balanced meals is not guaranteed and when healthy food isn’t accessible, choices become limited.

Over time, this has a profound impact. Today, ultra-processed foods account for 59% of a 7-year-old’s daily intake, and standards of childhood nutrition have declined over the past two decades. These aren’t just statistics, they reflect a shift in the environments children are growing up in, where affordability, availability and accessibility shape what ends up on the plate.

The impact starts early.24% of children are already overweight or obese by the time they begin primary school, increasing their risk of long-term health conditions including type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

But the story doesn’t stop at food.

Children growing up in poverty are more likely to experience household instability and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). These can trigger prolonged stress responses, affecting brain development, emotional wellbeing, and future life outcomes. When combined with poor nutrition, the effects can be compounded, shaping not just physical health, but a child’s ability to learn, grow and thrive.

This is where Meals & More plays a vital role.

We work with trusted community partners across the UK to support the provision of healthy meals, safe spaces and enriching activities. Crucially, this support is delivered during the school holidays, a time when many children lose access to the structure, routine and meals that school provides.

By enabling access to this support when it’s needed most, we help to bridge the gap, ensuring children are not left behind simply because it’s the holidays.

Because every child deserves good food, safe spaces & the chance to grow.

Data source: The King’s Fund