School holidays can be pressure points for many families because of increased food and childcare costs and reduced incomes. For some children this can lead to an experience gap. In response to this issue, the Department for Education is providing local authorities with funding to coordinate a holiday programme offer combining provision of healthy food and enriching activities for children and young people who get benefits related free school meals.

The holiday activity and food (HAF) programme aims to reduce the opportunity gap and offer eligible children the chance to take part in fun and enriching activities over the school holidays. You can find out more about HAF in a brilliant video starring Marcus Rashford MBE below.

The County Council has commissioned North Yorkshire Together, a partnership between Rural Arts, North Yorkshire Sport and North Yorkshire Youth, as lead provider for the programme which will be branded as FEAST. FEAST stands for ‘food, entertainment, arts and sport together’.

The activity sessions will be available to all children and young people in North Yorkshire, but will be free to families eligible for benefits related free schools meals.

To make sure eligible families know about the programme every child currently receiving free school meals will be sent a pack with information about FEAST and a booklet with ideas for activities and things to do over the school holidays. There will be online resources and inspiration that all families can enjoy, which North Yorkshire Together will be promoting throughout the Easter holidays.