Free School Meal vouchers can be used at Middleton discount store

Middleton families in receipt of the Government’s national Free School Meals (FSM) voucher scheme can redeem their vouchers at Company Shop Middleton.

The store on the Stakehill Industrial Estate, sells brand food and products with, on average, 50% off the normal retail price.

The scheme relaunched on Monday, January 18, and will help to ensure that children who normally receive free school meals have access to essential food during the current school closures.

Local schools have the option to provide children on FSM with lunches through either food parcels or local/national voucher schemes.

Families choosing to spend their weekly vouchers at Company Shop will have access to products from household names and brands, including Tesco, Waitrose, Nestlé and Iceland.

As the products are sold at a fraction of the typical retail price, shopping in store will maximise the value of the voucher, and stretch family budgets even further.

Any families with children eligible for the national voucher scheme can use their voucher in store at Company Shop, and do not need to be registered members.

However, free membership for Company Shop has now been extended to include those in receipt of means tested benefits, including FSM, and so all eligible families are encouraged to register online for membership which is free and lasts a lifetime.

Steph McGinty, Deputy Managing Director of Company Shop Group, said: "It is essential that children and families have access to high-quality, affordable food during school closures, through such challenging times.

"By using their voucher in store at Company Shop, families will be able to almost double the amount of food and essential products that they would typically be able to purchase, which helps to stretch family budgets even further.

"We would really encourage any families in receipt of the vouchers to consider using them at their local Company Shop store, as well as taking advantage of our existing membership criteria extension which is open to those on means tested benefits. Membership is completely free and lasts a lifetime."