By Cordelia Woodward, Registered Dietitian
The summer holidays, while offering opportunities for rest and family time, also present a significant challenge for many families across the UK – especially when it comes to food costs. For households already managing tight budgets, the additional pressure of providing more meals and snacks during the school break can be overwhelming.
As healthcare professionals (HCPs), we understand the ripple effects of food insecurity – on physical health, emotional wellbeing, and family stress levels. In response to this growing need, Iceland has relaunched its Iceland Food Club in partnership with the not-for-profit social lender, Fair for You. With just £75, families can access a full basket of balanced meals and snacks – demonstrating how much of a difference even a modest amount can make. MyNutriWeb is proud to have supported this initiative, helping raise awareness and ensure the nutrition message is central to the solution.
The challenge
Recent research from Iceland Foods reveals the scale of this challenge:
- 85% of parents report increased food bills over the summer holidays
- This equates to a £553 million rise in household food spending per week across the UK
- The rise is largely attributed to the need for more food at home (73%) and the cost of extra snacks and drinks (68%)
What Is the Iceland Food Club?
The Iceland Food Club provides eligible families with an interest-free loan of up to £75, loaded onto a pre-paid card for use at Iceland or The Food Warehouse. The loan is repayable at £10 per week, allowing families to manage costs without resorting to high-interest borrowing or going without essentials. Importantly, returning customers who’ve repaid their loan can top up during school holiday periods, with up to £100 available. This targeted support aims to reduce the pressure on families during key times – like the summer break – and protect children’s access to regular, nourishing meals.
“The summer holidays should be a time for families to relax and make memories, not worry about how they’re going to afford their next food shop. But the reality for millions is very different. When we hear that nearly a quarter of parents are skipping meals so their children can eat, we know we have to step in.”
– Richard Walker, Executive Chairman, Iceland Foods
“The summer break is always one of the most financially stressful times of the year. With the rising cost of living, we’re expecting this to be our busiest period to date.”
– Simon Dukes, CEO, Fair for You
Helping Families Maximise Nutrition on a Budget
To complement the financial support, MyNutriWeb collaborated with Iceland to develop a budget-friendly, nutritionally balanced shopping basket. This evidence-based guide shows how families can use the £75 loan to buy ingredients that support healthy eating and align with the UK Eatwell Guide.
“We know that holidays often mean higher food costs for families. That’s why working with The Iceland Food Club to create this budget-friendly basket which meets the Eat Well guidelines is so important – it gives parents the confidence and means to buy fresh fruit, vegetables, and other essential ingredients available in Iceland supermarkets.
The recipes featured are designed to be nutritious, affordable, and easy to prepare, helping families keep children well-fed and energised throughout the holidays. It’s about making every penny count while supporting children’s health and wellbeing as they head back to school.”
– Tanya Haffner, CEO and Founder, MyNutriWeb
Designed for a household of two adults and two young children (under five), the basket delivers 126 balanced portions (including 5 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 5 dinners and 7 snack ideas), helping children stay well-nourished and supporting positive food habits through the holidays. There’s a variety of healthy recipes that are simple to make including banana pancakes, mushroom and chickpea wraps, chilli sin carne and much more.
How HCPs Can Support
As trusted sources of information, HCPs play a key role in supporting families to access help. If you work with families affected by rising food costs, you can:
- Signpost them to the Iceland Food Club via Fair for You’s website
- Share the budget shopping basket and family-friendly recipes
- Reinforce practical advice around snack timing, balanced meal planning, and food budgeting
Help Us Spread the Word
We encourage you to share this blog, comment with your own experiences or tips, and pass it on to colleagues or networks working directly with families. This initiative will help more families benefit and ensure no child goes without nutritious food over the holidays.
