Holiday Market Project

The Holiday Markets project is an initiative supported by Preston City Council and delivered by schools, faith organisations and community groups.

The project aims to provide access to affordable food for families who may be struggling over the school holidays and when children are not receiving a free school lunch.

Holiday Hunger

Holiday hunger, is a term used to define a shortage of nutritious food for families and children during school holidays.

The school holidays can put increased pressure on family budgets and this can affect children who would usually receive free school meals.

Working with national charity FareShare, a pilot initiative took place in the summer of 2019 with over 3000 people visiting the 60 markets across Preston.  

Let's Grow Preston

Let's Grow Preston and local allotmenteers support the project by donating fruit and vegetables to increase the amount of nutritious food available.

How does the project work?

The holiday markets offers families the ability to donate as much or as little as they can afford, which provides local families access to affordable food, during the summer holidays.

Councillor Nweeda Khan, cabinet member for communities and social justice at Preston City Council, 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 judgment.

"These figures for 2019 show their success for a second year and the high value to Preston families."

For more information on the project please email communityinvolvementteam@preston.gov.uk.