SCHOOLS struggling to access meal vouchers can go direct to local stores.

Booths has offered to supply free school meals vouchers directly to local schools for them to distribute to their pupils.

The vouchers, worth £15 a week, are supplied to eligible pupils while schools are closed.

Booths, which has stores in Lancashire, Cumbria, Yorkshire, Cheshire and Greater Manchester, is aware that particularly in rural areas, they are the main food retailer in the community.

Booths are keen to support local schools to ensure that school vouchers are distributed efficiently to families in need. Booths are not listed on the Edenred scheme as this is closed to new partnerships but recognise that many families will rely on Booths for their shopping.

“We’re aware from our work with the Cumbria Community Foundation that many families are struggling to access school meal vouchers locally; so we’re here to support local schools,” said Liz McEvoy, Retail Operations Manager for Booths.

Schools can contact local Booths stores direct.