Moving to FSM shopping vouchers instead of packed lunches 20th April

Dear parents and carers
Re; Moving to Free School Meals shopping voucher provision from 20th April 2020

You will have heard a lot on the news about shopping vouchers for families who are eligible for Free School Meals. We have been providing packed lunches for collection from school (breakfast club/quiet garden entrance) between 11:30 and 12:00 Monday to Friday
for families and will continue to do so over the Easter Break. The shopping voucher scheme is not available over the Easter break and we want to ensure our families are still supported over this period.

From Monday 20th April we will be moving to the shopping voucher scheme. It is essential that we have your email address to be able to send vouchers to you. Please ensure that you keep the school office updated of any changes to your email address at: info@balliolprimary.co.uk

The voucher scheme is only for families who are eligible through means testing, not universal free school meals (which is for all Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 pupils). If you are
 unsure whether you are eligible you can apply using the following link.
https://my.northtyneside.gov.uk/category/238/free-school-meals

From Monday 20th April the voucher system will replace the daily packed lunch provision and vouchers can be redeemed in a number of supermarkets (Asda, Morrison's, Tesco, Sainsbury's, Waitrose and M&S). Please check your email for a 16-digit eCode and the amount you have been sent. You will also find a link to the redemption website: www.freeschoolmeals.co.uk

We suggest ordering your eGift card at home when connected to WIFI before you go to the supermarket. Take a screenshot of the eGift card barcode before going to the supermarket as this should still scan ok in-store even if you have no mobile data on your mobile.
  
Further details/guidance can be found regarding how eCodes can be redeemed from:
https://www.edenred.co.uk/Documents/DfE/DfE_FreeSchoolMeals_ParentCarerFAQs.pdf

Kind regards

Mrs Driver