New research from Iceland Foods highlights the financial strain UK families face this summer with 85% of parents reporting increased food bills during the school holidays – leading to a staggering £553 million being spent extra per week across British households.
Released just ahead of the six-week break, the survey reveals that for nearly three quarters (73%) of parents, the biggest cost spike comes simply from needing more food at home, followed by stocking up on extra snacks and drinks (68%) to keep the kids going.
As result of these increasing costs, more than a quarter of parents (26%) say they’ve used Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) services just to get by with their grocery shopping in summer. One in ten parents (10%) have also relied on loans to manage their food bill, with 21% selling personal items to cover the cost.
While options like BNPL can offer short-term flexibility, many people get declined for BNPL – and terms can vary significantly between providers. This is why Iceland is once again offering a more flexible and interest-free alternative through the Iceland Food Club.
Delivered in partnership with not-for-profit lender Fair for You, the Food Club provides an initial interest-free loan of up to £75 to eligible applicants, loaded onto a pre-paid card for use in-store or online at Iceland or The Food Warehouse. The loan is repaid at a manageable £10 per week, helping families spread the cost of essentials without falling into a cycle of debt. Returning customers can load up to £100 onto their Food Club card during school holiday top-up windows, once they have paid back their previous loan.
Richard Walker, Executive Chairman of Iceland Foods, said: “The summer holidays should be a time for families to relax and make memories, not worry about how they’re going to afford their next food shop. But the reality for millions is very different. When we hear that nearly a quarter of parents are skipping meals so their children can eat, we know we have to step in.
“Our Food Club will be available this summer, offering real, practical support that helps people stock up their fridges and freezers without falling into debt traps.”
Simon Dukes, CEO of Fair for You, added: “The summer break is always one of the most financially stressful times of the year for families and with the rising cost of living, we’re expecting this six-week break to be our busiest period to date.
“Our Food Club with Iceland offers a safe, flexible alternative to high-cost credit, allowing parents to put food on the table now and repay in a way that works for them, especially when many will be preparing for the next set of back-to-school costs. We’re experts at helping people to borrow responsibly and are even able to help people with poor credit if we can see that they can afford to make £10 weekly repayments. As Fair for You is owned by a charity, our only goal is to help people and we recycle all repayments in order to lend to more people who need us.”
To help families make the most of their Food Club loan this summer, Iceland has teamed up with a registered dietitian to create a healthy, budget-friendly shopping basket – showing exactly what can be done with the average £75 Food Club loan.
Packed with nutritious meals and snacks, this expert-approved basket keeps kids full and parents confident they’re stretching every penny. For just £75, a family of two adults and two young children (under five) can enjoy 126 healthy, balanced portions.*
Tanya Haffner RD MBDA, Dietitian at MyNutriWeb said: “We know that holidays often mean higher food costs for families. That’s why working with Iceland Food Club to create this budget-friendly basket which meets the Eat Well guidelines is so important – it gives parents the confidence and means to buy fresh fruit, vegetables, and other essential ingredients available in Iceland supermarkets.
“The recipes featured are designed to be nutritious, affordable, and easy to prepare, helping families keep children well-fed and energised throughout the holidays. It’s about making every penny count while supporting children’s health and wellbeing as they head back to school.”
New customers can apply for an Iceland Food Club card now, while returning customers can now top up (from July 14th) as long as they’re up to date with repayments. Anyone can apply for the scheme, on the Fair for You website where they’ll also find the recommended £75 shopping basket along with family-friendly recipes.
For more information and to apply, visit: https://www.fairforyou.co.uk/food-club-card
