FIFE COUNCIL has confirmed the venues which will be serving up free school lunches during the summer holidays.

The Cafe Inc initiative will provide a free midday meal for West Fife children, young people and families.

Aimed at combatting holiday hunger, it is hoped the cafes will help reduce poverty across Fife.

Lunches will be available Monday to Friday from 11.45am-1pm in St Serf’s Primary in High Valleyfield and at Blairhall Primary.

In Dunfermline, they will be on offer at the same times in St Columba’s High and St Margaret’s and St Leonard’s primary schools.

In Kelty, the cafe will be open at the Kelty Centre from 11.45am-1pm.

It will also be on offer at Broomhead Fare Share Pantry in Broomhead Community Flat in Dunfermline on Tuesday from 2-3pm and on Fridays from 4.45-5.30pm.

Food For Your Future will be serving between 5-7pm at Baldridgeburn Community Centre on July 3, James Allan Community Centre on July 10, Woodmill High on July 24, John Marshall Community Centre on July 31 and at Woodmill High on August 7.

Cafe Inc will be on during the Tryst Youth Summer Programme at the Tryst Centre in Abbeyview on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays during the weeks beginning July 29, August 5 and 12.

It will run in the Tower House Centre in Dunfermline, Monday to Friday in week two to seven of the holidays from 11.45am until 1.30pm, while it will also be at the Wellwood Salvation Army every Wednesday between 10.30am-1pm and the Tryst Centre every Tuesday at the same time.

Councillor Judy Hamilton, convenor of the community and housing services committee, said: “We provide free school meals during term time for over 9,000 pupils across Fife. But we know that there’s a lot of pressure on all families during the school holidays.

“For some of those families, to provide an extra meal at home for a child or a number of siblings creates a breaking point, where school holidays are dreaded. Foodbank referrals are increased as families are stretched to the limit.

“We invested £400,000 in a year-long trial of free lunch provision during school holidays.

“We initially trialled this in a localised way, in the Lochgelly/Cowdenbeath area and it was hugely popular. This just hit home to us how vital this type of support can be to families.”

Councillor Hamilton added: “It’s a very sad fact that during school holidays many children in Fife go hungry. We don’t think this is acceptable for any of our children and as part of our drive towards a Fairer Fife we are fighting this head-on.

“Cafe Inc is open to all; it gives children and families a chance to meet up with friends and enjoy a bite to eat in some good company. I’d urge anyone to come along and enjoy a family lunch with some friendly chat and fun this summer.”