How waste food helps families through the week

Teacher Amy Henderson, from the academy, said the scheme had helped ease pressure on families facing rising household bills.

"With the cost of living, we know how expensive things are today, and it really does take pressure off the families," she said.

"It's really heart-warming to know that they have had a good meal."

Henderson said the sessions also helped parents, children, school staff and volunteers build relationships.

"It's a really lovely social event," she added.

FoodCycle collects surplus produce from supermarkets and uses it to prepare meals and provide groceries for families.

The initiative runs at schools across the West Midlands including Windsor Olympic Academy in Birmingham and Goldsmiths Primary Academy in Walsall.

"Our hope is that by turning surplus food into these free community meals we're doing more than just filling plates for an evening," Aoun said.