Sainsbury’s has committed more than £8 million through its partnership with Comic Relief to help tackle child food insecurity during school holidays by expanding access to holiday clubs across the UK.
The funding will complement the UK Government’s Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme and support additional holiday club places until at least March 2029. By the end of the new three-year commitment, Sainsbury’s expects to have funded more than 500,000 holiday club places since the partnership began.
The supermarket said many children continue to miss out on holiday food support because of eligibility rules. It is calling on the Government to extend the HAF programme to cover all school holidays, including half-term breaks, and align eligibility with free school meals.
Alongside the funding, thousands of Sainsbury’s and Argos colleagues are taking part in the retailer’s “Move for Meals” fundraising campaign throughout July and August. Activities include relay races, football tournaments and sports events, with Sainsbury’s matching customer donations to Comic Relief made until 31 July 2026.
The latest commitment supports the partnership’s goal of raising £30 million by 2030, helping provide the equivalent of 120 million meals for children and families across the UK since 2022.
The funding will support organisations delivering holiday clubs, after-school meal programmes and food clubs for families experiencing food insecurity.
What happens next?
Sainsbury’s will continue fundraising through its Comic Relief partnership while supporting holiday food programmes until at least 2029. The retailer is also urging the UK Government to expand holiday meal support so more children can access nutritious food outside school terms.
