Families in Cheshunt, Hertfordshire, can access free or low-cost meals for their children during the February half-term break to help manage the high cost of living.
The scheme is run by Hertfordshire County Council and will take place from Monday, February 16, 2026, to Friday, February 20, 2026. These sessions provide children with healthy hot food and the chance to take part in physical activities while away from the school canteen.
Local venues taking part in the initiative include the Herts Young Mariners Base and the Broxbourne Day Service. Other community centres and primary schools in the area will also host sessions to ensure support is available across the town.
Meals are free for children who are eligible for benefits-related free school meals, while other families in need can access the sessions at a low cost. Parents can book their children onto the programme via the online booking portal; families eligible for benefits-related free school meals can use their Herts Card, and eligible families will receive a unique booking code from their child’s school.
This initiative is part of the national Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme funded by the Department for Education. The Department announced a multi-year funding extension in August 2025 that secures HAF funding through March 2029, helping provide a reliable safety net for families during school holidays.
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