Bedford Borough Council works with Edenred to issue supermarket vouchers to families with children and young people eligible for income-related free school meals via our ‘Household Support Fund’ (as provided by the Department for Work and Pensions and the UK Government). The current grant will cover vouchers up to and including the Easter holiday 2024.
The Council provides families receiving income-related free school meals with supermarket vouchers. Each eligible child will receive £15 for each week of the school holiday.
We send voucher codes directly to families of free school meal eligible children ahead of holiday periods. Voucher codes are issued by email to enable you to choose the best food shop for your family. Where we do not hold an email address for your family, schools and settings will support to ensure voucher allocations are still received.
We work with our local Early Years settings to identify and collate the details of those children under 5 years of age who receive pupil premium or ‘2 year old’ funding so that they can be supported through the fund. Vouchers for eligible children in Early Years settings are issued at the main holiday periods - Christmas, Easter and Summer. The value of the voucher provided will be higher to incorporate the previous half term and main holiday.
See the step-by-step guide on how to use your Select Grocery eCode.
You can also contact Edenred customer services at freeschoolmealsparentscarers@edenred.com or phone 0333 400 5932 if you have any further queries.
If you feel your child is eligible for low income free school meals and you have not received a voucher code, you may contact the Council direct by emailing FSMCensus@Bedford.gov.uk or by calling the Family Information Service on 0800 023 2057.
Please provide your child’s name, date of birth and school/setting attended to aid us in assisting you.
If your personal circumstances have recently changed and you would like to check if your child is now eligible to receive income-related free school meals, please speak to your school or read our guidance and apply online at Free school meals.
You can also see up-to-date free school meal guidance from the DfE.
If your child is eligible and you wish to opt out of the scheme, please call the Council’s Family Information Service on Freephone: 0800 023 2057 (24 hour answerphone service available).