Weetabix joins Marcus Rashford’s task force

Weetabix has joined the growing list of food companies signing up to support Marcus Rashford’s Child Poverty Task Force, which aims to tackle hunger among children.

The Manchester United and England forward has formed the taskforce with some major food brands early this month after successfully campaigning for school food vouchers to be provided over the summer holidays in Britain.

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General Mills and Mars Food have later separately announced that they would be joining the initiative.

Weetabix said its support to the task force is part of its ongoing mission to provide a healthy breakfast to the nation’s disadvantaged school children.

The company behind the nation’s favourite breakfast cereal has also endorsed the campaign’s policy requests for the expansion of the free school meals scheme.

These include the expansion of free school meals to children whose families are on universal credit, expansion of holiday provision to all children on free school meals, and increasing the value of Healthy Start vouchers.

“We believe that no child should have to start their school day hungry, which is why we’re supporting Marcus in his ambition for the free school meals scheme to be expanded,” commented Sally Abbott, managing director of Weetabix UK and Ireland.

“Weetabix is founded upon belief that everyone should start the day with a healthy and nutritious breakfast and nearly ninety years on, we continue to uphold this principle.”

The task force includes major British supermarket chains and food companies such as Kellogg’s among others.

Marcus Rashford said: “Breakfast Club played an integral part in my life. Not only did it guarantee that I had fuel to sustain the day and really engage in learning but it is where I formed my life friendships. Breakfast Clubs offer a community, an acceptance and I’m thrilled to be announcing Weetabix as the newest member of the Task Force knowing the efforts they put in to support these vital services.”

Earlier this month, Weetabix has announced a partnership with charity Magic Breakfast, offering free healthy school breakfasts to disadvantaged children in areas across England and Scotland.