The summer school holidays, while wonderful for the children, can pose a real challenge for parents. Not only do they need to find something to occupy their children during the long break, but they also need to keep them fed and watered, which is no mean feat in the current economy. Trying to muster up nutritious and filling breakfasts, lunch, dinner, and snack ideas that help growth and development needs real thought and planning. From the point of view of local food establishments, there is a great opportunity to make it easy for parents while boosting sales. In this article, we will look at what food businesses, including pubs, cafes, and restaurants, can provide children with affordable, tasty, and nutritious food.
Offer affordable children’s meal options
Keeping costs down is a priority for many families during the summer, however, many food establishments still do not offer a high-quality and affordable children’s menu. By offering a children’s menu, food businesses can lower the cost burden on already financially stretched families whilst attracting parents, grandparents and carers, ensuring that more tables are occupied throughout the day and early evening.
Offer nutritious and balanced menus
It is all too easy to offer standard fare for children, such as pizza and chips. Indeed, Summer can easily become a season of convenience food. By offering child-friendly meals that are both appealing and nutritious, such as wholegrain pasta dishes, grilled proteins, and meals with fruit or veg included, you can take the pressure off parents; the pressure to work, cook, clean, care for and feed the family.
What parents increasingly want is food options that satiate their little ones but are also nutritious. Parents are also increasingly aware of the quality of the food they feed their little ones and where it comes from. At Riverside Foods, we prioritise quality over quantity; for example, compared to lower quality alternatives, our range of turkey and chicken products are made from whole muscle, something Jamie Oliver would no doubt very much approve of!
Some great recipe ideas using our range include:
- Pasta with turkey meatballs and hidden veg sauce
- Gluten-Free Turkey Ballotine with mash and veg
- Crispy chicken goujon burritos
- Popcorn chicken & chipotle aioli
- Juicy Chicken Katsu Curry
Support your local Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Programme
Local authorities often partner with community venues to deliver free meals to children eligible for free school meals through the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme. As a local food business, you can help to ensure that children from low-income families receive healthy and nutritious food. Food businesses can support this initiative by:
- Donating meals or ingredients
- Partnering with schools or local councils
- Providing food for activity clubs
4. Create takeaway family meal bundles
Another way to take the pressure off parents during the summer holidays is to offer easy and affordable takeaway bundles designed for families. Examples might include:
- A main dish, side, and dessert for the whole family
- Mix-and-match build-your-own meal boxes
- Ready-to-heat meals that feel homemade
Final words
Pubs, cafes, local restaurants, and other food outlets can play a vital role in supporting families during the long summer break. By offering affordable, nutritious options and making dining out or ordering in as stress-free as possible, you not only help parents but also build a loyal customer base for the future.
