CLAIRE Baker has welcomed news from Fife Council that they will be taking action to tackle holiday hunger following calls from the Mid Scotland and Fife MSP to ensure no child goes hungry this summer.

The local MSP spoke as she visited Auchterderran Drop-in café which is open every Tuesday in Auchterderran Church Hall between 10 and 1.

The Scottish Labour MSP had previously called for the local authority to learn from North Lanarkshire Council, who are leading the way with the ground-breaking ‘Food 365’ initiative.

With schools closed for their summer holidays, some children risk going hungry as they won’t have the school meal or breakfast some schools supply, to rely on.

Since writing to the local authority, Fife Council has announced that they are joining together with voluntary sectors to target children who face going hungry through the holidays.

Following her visit to the drop in café, Ms Baker said: “I know that many children throughout Fife are already out enjoying their holidays, but we cannot forget about those that rely on school meals to provide a daily, nutritious, and warm meal.

“That is why I called on Fife Council to learn from the lessons elsewhere, especially in North Lanarkshire, who are extending their Food 365 pilot to cover the summer holidays.

“Holiday hunger is a serious issue in some of the most deprived areas across Scotland and I welcome the announcement by Fife that they will be targeting children who face going hungry this summer. It is important that we make services as open and accessible as possible".

The Kelty woman added: “We must ensure that there is equality of provision across the Kingdom and that no one area is left struggling behind the rest.

"In that regard we should recognise the work of voluntary organisations throughout Fife who are responding to need in their communities. We owe them a deep sense of gratitude for the work that they do.

“I saw that first-hand when I visited Auchterderran drop-in café. The volunteers create a very welcoming environment and the café is open to anyone to come along, enjoy some breakfast or lunch, have a chat over a cup of tea and support each other in their community.

“I would urge anyone that feels they, or their children, might be vulnerable to holiday hunger to get in touch with the Council and find out what services are available to them locally, to ensure that no child goes hungry in Fife this summer.”

Claire Baker is pictured with volunteers from Auchterderran drop-in café.