My name is Christina, I’m 18 and I grew up in south London on free school meals. 

Right now, I’m really worried because 800,000 children are living in poverty — but aren’t considered eligible for free school meals. I can’t understand why. I have been inspired by young people like Asha and Saffron who are telling their stories to show how the rising cost of living is hitting them, and want to stand up for the huge number of families who are struggling to afford the basics.

Every child deserves access to healthy, nutritious food, but this isn’t our reality. I’ve seen kids go hungry at lunch because they don’t have the money to get food. The fact we’re one of the richest economies in the world and young people don’t have access to at least one nutritious meal a day is shocking. 

The Government say they want to help families across the country who are struggling — free school meals are the perfect way to do this, and promote child health. Yet in June, they chose not to extend free school meals to all children in need. 

During lockdown, me and the other young people at Bite Back 2030 — a youth-led movement to ensure all children have access to healthy, nutritious food — started a petition calling for free school meals to be provided during the school holidays. And it worked! Over 400,000 people added their name, and helped raise attention to the issue. The Prime Minister did eventually listen to us and lots of other campaigners.

It’s urgent we do it again. Please add your name to tell the UK Government: extend free school meals to the 800,000 children who need them! 

Working in partnership with The Independent's Feed the Future campaign.