Ann Micka is senior programme manager at Vitamin Angels UK, a childhood nutrition charity that provides an innovative food scheme to help nurseries across the UK, in partnership with the National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA).

The programme delivers free weekly nutrient-dense supplementary foods, including fruits, vegetables and protein-rich items, to over 1,000 nursery children from low-income families in London, Sowerby Bridge, Middlesbrough, Manchester, Grimsby, Darlington, Scunthorpe, Wolverhampton and Leominster.

On the back of the news of an increasing number of nurseries closing this week, leaving parents struggling to find childcare, Ann commented: “The increasing number of nurseries faced with no option but to close their doors is devastating for families, parents and nursery staff but also has a significant and deeply concerning impact on the food insecurity crisis in the UK too.

For many children, and particularly those in deprived areas, nurseries have been a vital source of nutritious meals and healthy snacks, which can make a huge difference to children’s learning and development in early years settings. 

According to the British Medical Journal, The Covid-19 pandemic had already exacerbated nutritional problems associated with food insecurity including an increased risk of micronutrient deficiencies.  

And now for families already facing food poverty at home and the 3.9 million children currently living in poverty in the UK*, nursery closures mean the need for intervention is even greater. 

We’ve been able to give some of the most disadvantaged children access to healthy meals and snacks without a financial impact to nurseries, and nursery managers have informed us that children and parents are more receptive to the new healthy menus, which is a huge step forward.  But with more providers unable to continue, it’s vital that we increase funding and donations to broaden our initiative and reach more families in need of support.

For more information on the programme please visit https://www.vitaminangels.org/what-we-do-uk