Meals & More understands the importance of measuring the impact of holiday provision on society, by funding independent research and publicising the results. Meals & More supports an evidence-based approach to holiday food insecurity and works with Northumbria University, Newcastle, regularly publishing articles in respected scientific journals. This has included the first paper in the UK on learning loss during the summer holidays.

The study: An Investigation of Holiday Club Provision: Impact on Children’s Educational Attainment, Nutritional Intake and Wider Family Benefits was written by Jackie Shinwell PhD and will help educate people on some of the issues associated with holiday food insecuritt and the benefits of holiday provision.

The aim of the thesis was to investigate the potential benefits, uses, and impact of holiday club provision with food on disadvantaged children’s nutritional intake, educational attainment and the social well-being of attendees and their parents and carers. A sequential mixed methods research design was adopted for this thesis. An initial qualitative study informed the development of hypothesis and variables to be used in two subsequent quantitative phases of data collection.

Benefits were demonstrated at an organisational, community, interpersonal and individual level in multiple ways, including positive aspects of food choice.

The research will be beneficial as we move forward in addressing the key issues relating to Holiday Provision with influencers and decision makers, with the aim of making a positive contribution and difference to the lives of children and young people in local communities that need support.