Low-income families across Dorset are facing uncertainty over how they will feed their children during school holidays after Dorset Council confirmed it will no longer provide supermarket vouchers during half-term breaks.
One mother of two has told the Dorset Gazette she does not know how she will manage without the support and fears she may have to turn to a food bank.
Dorset Council has confirmed that supermarket vouchers previously provided to eligible families during half-term holidays will no longer be issued, removing a source of financial assistance for parents struggling to meet the cost of feeding their children.
The decision has been confirmed in a letter dated 15 October 2026 from a school's vice-principal, who said the information had been checked directly with the council.
The letter also apologised to families for not being notified directly about the change.
For families already struggling with the rising cost of everyday essentials, the loss of the vouchers could mean difficult decisions about how to make their money stretch further.
‘I don't know how I will manage’
Gemma, a mother of two, has told the Dorset Gazette she is worried about how she will afford to feed her children during half-term.
She said she does not know how she will manage without the supermarket vouchers and believes she may have to visit a food bank to get through the holiday period.
For parents on low incomes, school holidays can bring additional financial pressure. Children still need regular meals throughout the day, but household food bills can increase when they are at home rather than attending school.
For families already struggling to cover rent, energy bills and other essential expenses, the removal of additional food support could leave parents facing an even more difficult situation.
Gemma's concerns highlight the potential consequences for families who depend on every available source of assistance to keep their household finances afloat.
Who will still qualify for holiday support?
The letter explains that free school meal eligibility is now divided into two categories, with different levels of support available during school holidays.
Targeted Free School Meals
Families receiving Universal Credit with annual earned income below £7,400 are identified in the letter as eligible for Targeted Free School Meals.
These children can receive free school meals during term time and are eligible for the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme during school holidays.
The programme, known locally as School's Out!, offers free activities and nutritious meals across Dorset.
Expanded Free School Meals
The letter states that children receiving Expanded Free School Meals will continue to receive free meals during term time but will not qualify for holiday HAF programmes under this arrangement.
This distinction is significant because families who receive free school meals will not necessarily qualify for the same holiday support.
While the HAF programme provides an alternative for eligible children, it is not the same as receiving supermarket vouchers that parents can use to purchase food for their household.
For families who do not qualify for the holiday programme, the loss of vouchers could leave them needing to find other ways to cover the cost of food.
School apologises to families
In the letter, the school's vice-principal responsible for safeguarding and behaviour confirmed that the information had been checked with Dorset Council.
The letter states: “I understand that this change will be concerning for a number of our families.”
It also confirms that supermarket vouchers will no longer be issued during half-term breaks going forward.
The school has highlighted the support still available, including free breakfast for all students from 8am each morning. The letter explains that this provision is funded by the academy and is open to everyone.
However, breakfast provision during term time does not resolve the immediate concern for families facing additional food costs during the school holidays.
Food banks could face additional pressure
For parents who cannot make ends meet, food banks and community support organisations can become a last resort.
Gemma's account raises concerns about whether families who previously relied on supermarket vouchers will now need to seek help elsewhere.
Any increase in demand could put additional pressure on local organisations already supporting people experiencing financial hardship.
The council's letter directs families worried about food costs towards its information on local food assistance, financial help and wider cost-of-living support. It also advises families to contact the council if they need assistance accessing their HAF code.
But for parents facing an immediate shortfall in their food budget, signposting to other services may not remove the underlying financial pressure.
Questions remain for Dorset Council
The confirmed withdrawal of supermarket vouchers raises important questions about the impact on low-income families across the county.
The Dorset Gazette will be seeking clarification from Dorset Council on:
Why supermarket vouchers are being discontinued.
How many families and children will be affected.
Whether the decision will generate savings and, if so, how much.
What alternative assistance will be available to families who no longer receive vouchers.
How the council intends to support households whose children do not qualify for the HAF programme.
The council's response will be important in establishing the reasoning behind the change and what help remains available to families who are struggling to afford food.
For Gemma, the issue is more immediate.
As half-term approaches, she faces uncertainty about how she will feed her two children without the support she previously relied on.
For families already struggling to make ends meet, the end of the vouchers could turn the school holidays into another period of financial anxiety.
The Dorset Gazette will continue to investigate the impact of the decision and seek answers from Dorset Council.