A number of local businesses are lending a helping hand to those most in need this October.
In case you missed the news that’s dominated the headlines this past week, the UK government announced that they will not be providing children with free school meals over the October half term. Manchester United footballer Marcus Rashford launched a child food poverty campaign in response, and loads of eateries across London are now rallying together to ensure that kids are fed this week.
A number of restaurants, cafes and local businesses have stepped in to help those most in need, offering hot meals and takeaway packed lunches free of charge. No child deserves to go hungry, and this valiant effort from Londoners is truly heartwarming. If your child is eligible for free school meals, head to one of these eateries for a nutritious free lunch this week.
Across London
By Chloe, multiple locations
Those entitled to free school meals can receive a free lunch at By Chloe this week. The vegan restaurant has also pledged to provide free meals over future school holidays and half terms! Head to any of their London locations with your relevant proof of eligibility and photo ID for a free plant-based meal.
Haché, multiple locations
Haché are supporting the community this week by offering burgers, fries and fresh lemonade to any child that needs it. These kids meals are free of charge and will be available between 12pm and 3pm.
Papa John’s, multiple locations
Children up to 15 years old can claim a free pizza at any Papa John’s restaurant from 2pm – 4pm this October half term.
Pho, multiple locations
Pho is handing out 6,000 free kids meals this week! Starting at midday, each of their London restaurants will donate 50 portions of egg fried rice and fruit to those in need.
PubLove, multiple locations
Head to any of their pubs in London to claim a free school lunch this week. They consist of a burger, ‘ugly nuggets’, chips, carrot sticks and a drink and you’re more than welcome to dine in or takeaway.
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Rum Kitchen, multiple locations
Rum Kitchen is doing their bit to help feed children this half term. They are giving away 40 lunches every day this week between 12pm and 2pm, and they can be claimed at their Shoreditch and Brixton venues.
Southpaw Coffee, multiple locations
Southpaw Coffee is offering packed lunches to any kids who need them this week. Any child or parent can pick up a bag with no questions asked until the end of October!
Central London
Green Room, South Bank
This half term Green Book is giving away free hot school meals to anyone who needs them. You’ll find them behind the National Theatre below Waterloo Bridge.
101 Upper Ground, Bishop’s, SE1 9PP
Rondo, Holborn
Free vegetarian pasta will be available to children at Rondo from 12pm – 6pm this week. Just let them know you’re there for ‘Half Term Holidays’ and they’ll provide the food.
199-206 High Holborn, WC1V 7BD
The Lebanese Bakery, Covent Garden
This Covent Garden bakery is offering free kids lunches for the rest of the week. Head to the Lebanese Bakery with proof of eligibility and photo ID to claim a meal.
Drury House, Russell Street
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Whyte and Brown, Soho
Just off Carnaby Street you’ll find Whyte and Brown, who are giving away free hot meals on request this half term.
Kingly Court, W1B 5PW
North London
Cottons Food Truck, Islington
100 free lunches will be donated to children each day this week from 12pm – 2pm. Head to the Cottons food truck in Islington for a Caribbean meal on the house.
60 Brewery Road, N7 9NY
Friends of Ours, Islington
This Islington coffee shop is preparing plenty of lunch boxes for children this week. You can message them beforehand through social media or stop by if you’re in the area. They include a ham and cheese toastie, banana loaf, pitta chips and fruit!
61 Pitfield Street, Hoxton, N1 6BU
Nectar Café, Camden
If you’re family is eligible for free school meals, Nectar Cafe is here to help. Email them beforehand at info@nectarcafe.co.uk for a packed lunch of vegetarian sandwich, fresh fruit, and fruit juice.
57 Jamestown Road, NW1 7DB
Spence Bakery, Tufnell Park and Stoke Newington
Head to either of the Spence Bakeries in North London for a free school lunch this half term. Children will be given a cheese roll, fruit, juice, a small loaf cake or cookies.
146A Fortress Road, NW5 2HP / 161 Stoke Newington Church Street, N16 0UH
Theo’s Café, Barnet
Between 2pm and 4pm this week, Theo’s Café are providing kids with a free lunch. You can choose between a full English breakfast with eggs, sausage, bacon, hash brown and beans, anything from their kids menu, or a sandwich.
12 Plantagenet Road, Barnet, EN5 5JG
The Sauce, Highbury
Free lunches will be available for kids this week on a first-come, first-serve basis at the Sauce. You can call 0207 683 1419 or send an email to info@thesauce.co.uk to let them know how many meals you require.
65 Highbury Road, Highbury, N5 1UA
East London
Chick ‘n’ Sours, Haggerston
Any Hackney resident eligible for free school meals can receive a hot lunch this Friday! Just DM Chick ‘n’ Sours to arrange a pick up time.
390 Kingsland Road, Dalston, E8 4AA
Patty & Bun at Hackney Church, Hackney
Patty & Bun are partnering with the Lighthouse Project to provide a free packed lunch to a child or family in need. Head to the Hackney Church from 12pm – 2pm this Thursday to pick one up.
St Luke’s at Hackney Church, 2 Homerton Terrace, E9 6RT
The Breakfast Club, Hoxton
The Breakfast Club believe that no child should go hungry and are therefore offering kids a free meal between 3pm and 5pm this week. Children can dine in or take their meal to go.
2-4 Rufus Street, Hackney, N1 6PE
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The Duke of Richmond, Hackney
This East London pub is preparing dozens of packed lunches for kids this week. Ham and cheese sandwiches, crisps and other goodies will be available free of charge, outside of the venue. There’ll be no need for explanations here!
316 Queenbridge Road, E8 3NH
The Pembury Tavern, Hackney
Kids eat free this half term at the Pembury Tavern, as any child in need will receive a free pizza to eat in or takeaway from 4pm till 6pm. They’ll also be donating £1 from every pizza sold this week to the Hackney Food Bank!
90 Amhurst Road, Hackney, E8 1JH
The Quality Chop House, Farringdon
The Quality Chop House are definitely doing their bit to feed children this half term. They are offering a sandwich, drink, fruit and bar of chocolate in each meal, and they can be collected between 11am and 12pm.
88 Farringdon Road, EC1R 3EA
Trullo at Padella, Shoreditch
All children between the ages of 4 and 16 are eligible for a free pasta kit on behalf of Trullo at Padella Shoreditch this half term. From midday, kids can collect either pappardelle with beef shin ragu or tagliarini with tomato sauce. And you only need a saucepan to bring these meals to life.
1 Phipp Street, EC2A 4PS
South London
400 Rabbits, Crystal Palace, Nunhead, West Norwood and Herne Hill
Any children struggling without free school meals this half term can head to cult south London pizza chain Four Hundred Rabbits for a margherita on the house – just ask for ‘The Rashford One’. (Nice touch)
30-32 Westow Street, Crystal Palace, SE19 3AH / 143 Evelina Road, Nunhead, SE15 3HB / 521 Norwood Road, Norwood, SE27 9DL / The Lido Cafe, Dulwich Road, Brixton, SE24 0PA
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Bao, Borough
Bao is donating 1000 free ‘Rice Error’ kids meals this week! Children will receive Taiwanese fried chicken and sweet potato chips free of charge.
13 Stoney Street, SE1 9AD
Flock and Herd, Peckham
This South London butchers will give away six child-friendly chipolata sausages to families in need this week. Simply ask a member of staff and they’ll accommodate.
155 Bellenden Road, Peckham, SE15 4DH.
Original Patacon, Brixton
Pop Brixton’s Original Patacon is trying to help as many children as possible this week. All school kids can claim a free patacon relleno (wrap) during lunch time.
Pop Brixton, 49 Brixton Station Road, SW9 8PQ
Share a Slice, Brixton
You’ll also find Share a Slice inside Pop Brixton! They are giving away 50 pizzas from 12pm- 3pm to children each day this week. Just let one of their hosts know that you’re there for a MarcusMargherita and they’ll do the rest.
Pop Brixton, 49 Brixton Station Road, SW9 8PQ
Souvlaki Street, Brixton
Another Pop Brixton vendor trying to help fight child hunger is Souvlaki Street. Any kids in need of a free lunch this half term can get a chicken souvlaki between 12pm – 3pm, with no questions asked.
Pop Brixton, 49 Brixton Station Road, SW9 8PQ
The Duke of Edinburgh x White Men Can’t Jerk, Brixton
Caribbean food vendors White Men Can’t Jerk, have partnered with The Duke of Edinburgh pub to provide free packed lunches to young people in the area. They’ll be available all half term at Brixton Soup Kitchen!
297-299 Coldharbour Lane, Brixton, SW9 8Rp
West London
Bleecker Burger, Westfield White City
Bleeker Burger is tackling child hunger by giving away burgers and fries this week to those eligible for free school meals.
Westfield White City, The Balcony, W12 7GF
Communion Coffee, Tooting Bec
Until the end of next week Communion Coffee is offering any child a free school meal – either pop into their café from 11am – 1pm and speak to a member of staff or drop them a DM via Instagram to arrange a pickup time.
21 Trinity Road, SW17 7SD
Maryam’s Kitchen, Ealing
Children entitled to free school meals can receive a free hot lunch from Maryam’s Kitchen this week. Lunches will be on a first-come first-serve basis but they will try and accommodate as many families as possible! Get in touch via Instagram or their email (maryamskitchensupperclub@gmail.com) to put through an order.
82 St. Mary’s Place, Ealing, W5 5EX
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Prince of Wales Townhouse, Hammersmith
The Prince of Wales Townhouse are doing their bit to help feed vulnerable children this half term. All kids under twelve can enjoy a free meal as long as they’re with a full paying adult.
73 Dalling Road, Hammersmith, W6 0JD
Royal Mahal, Tooting
Any child in need of a free meal this half term will be given a hot lunch from Royal Mahal. Just send an email to info@royalmahal.co.uk with your name and lunch preference. You can choose between their chicken curry, chicken karahi, channa masala or tharka dhaal, all of which comes with pilao rice.
32-36 Upper Tooting Road, SW17 7PD
The Schoolhouse, Battersea
If you’re a parent in need of some support this week, The Schoolhouse are giving away free nutritious lunches for kids every day. Send them a DM through Instagram or call them on 0207 223 6288 to organise a collection time. And if necessary, home delivery can be arranged.
137-139 St. John’s Hill, Battersea, SW11 1TD
Wing Wing, Hammersmith and Tavistock Place
Until November 1, Wing Wing Hammersmith and Tavistock Place are giving away 25 free meals a day. Simply arrive between 12pm and 5pm, say you’d like a free kids meal and you’ll receive four chicken wings, fries and a fizzy drink.
18 Hammersmith Broadway, Hammersmith, W6 7AB / 30 Woburn Place, Tavistock, WC1H 0JR