Nurseries, pre-schools and childminders are struggling to provide healthy and nutritious meals due to rising food costs, warns new research from the Early Years Alliance (EYA) and LEYF.
The findings, which are based on a survey that received 500 responses, along with two focus groups, reveal:
- For 94 per cent of providers the food they provide to children attending their settings has been impacted by rising food costs, with more than a third stating this is having a ‘significant impact’.
- More than six in ten (62 per cent) said they have been forced to use cheaper ingredients when providing meals.
- One in six have reduced their portion sizes.
- Almost one in ten (9 per cent) have used food redistribution charities, such as FareShare, to provide food in settings.
