Enough food was given out to families during Preston’s summer food markets to make 4,000 meal.

Holiday Hunger Markets were set up in conjunction with school and churches during the summer holidays to help feed children who may go hungry while away from the classroom.

Low income families were supported by the scheme, which looks to be continued by Preston City Council, with products donated from supermarkets or wholesalers via the FareShare scheme.

The food comes from the Recycling Lives food redistribution centre.

The charity works with FareShare to take in surplus food from supermarkets which then goes out to the holiday hunger markets.

Food donated had a retail value of approximately £2,500.

Now the holiday markets will continue during the October half-term.

Cabinet member for communities and social justice councillor Nweeda Khan said: “The cost of buying extra food and entertaining children through the school summer holidays can be a worry. That’s why it’s a priority for the council to be supporting the Holiday Market initiative across the city.

“Holiday Markets are not food banks, they have been developed to increase access to good food for families facing food insecurity, without judgement.

“These figures show their success and value to Preston families and we’re sure they will become an integral part of the community calendar in the future.”

Read more: Inside one of Preston’s Holiday Hunger Markets with families on the breadline

Support for the markets also came from the Let’s Grow Preston allotment project who donated fresh fruit and vegetables for families.

The hunger markets led to 1.5 tonnes of food avoiding landfill.

Dates and locations for the markets are provided by schools to parents and by community groups to families they know are in need.

Read more: Campaign to end ‘period poverty’ puts red boxes across Preston

What do you think of the idea of Holiday Hunger Markets? Let us know your views in the comments below