Morrisons has announced it will increase the capacity of its meal delivery service for children entitled to free meals while schools remain closed amid Covid lockdowns.

The Morrisons School Meal Box costs £15 and provides at least £15 worth of food to the children who need it most.

Developed in partnership with Morrisons nutritionist Dr Hayley Marson, each box includes nutritious items.

It also has the full support of star footballer and child hunger campaigner Marcus Rashford.

“Morrisons has acted by example in covering the deficit caused by children isolating and now acting to guarantee children on free school meals receive the substance and nutrition that they require and deserve during what is a difficult time for all,” he said.

“A big thank you to all involved.”

The grocer has also partnered with DPD to deliver the boxes directly to pupils’ homes, free of charge.

Morrisons’ stores have been working with their local schools since November to provide isolating kids who would normally be eligible for free school meals with food for breakfast and lunches.

Now, tens of thousands of Morrisons School Meal Boxes will be provided on a weekly basis, with enough food inside for one child to have five breakfasts and five lunches.

Morrisons customer and community director Rebecca Singleton said: “Since November, schools have been telling us they’ve had difficulty getting free school meals to children as many parents cannot get to a supermarket during the pandemic.

“Our Morrisons School Meals Boxes will ensure that children are getting good quality, nutritional food delivered directly to their door.”

Click here to sign up to Retail Gazette‘s free daily email newsletter