Fife Council is launching an Easter pilot scheme to provide a midday meal for families facing holiday hunger.
The local authority is inviting children, young people and families for a free feed at the Café Inc lunch club.
It will run at various venues in the Cowdenbeath and Lochgelly areas to support local families.
Some of the sessions will also provide a range of activities for young people.
Councillors agreed the scheme as part of this year’s budget in an attempt to cut poverty and help towards a Fairer Fife.
The scheme is open to all families who may be struggling financially over the school holidays.
Community and housing services convener, Labour councillor Judy Hamilton, 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.
“There is voluntary and third sector provision available and we will continue to work with them but we really wanted to extend that help to everyone.”
The council has invested £400,000 in a year-long trial of free lunch provision during school holidays, in a partnership between services.
“We are testing this initially in the Lochgelly and Cowdenbeath area and we’ll take on board any feedback before rolling this out across Fife during the summer holidays,” she added.
Hot meals will be available at St Kenneth’s, Lumphinnans, Benarty or Lochgelly West primary schools between 11.45 and 1.30pm from Monday April 8 to Friday April 19.
Lunch and fun will be on offer in Maxwell Centre in Cowdenbeath, Kelty Centre, Bowhill Centre, Benarty Centre and Lochgelly Centre.
Mrs 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 putting investment in place to try to combat this.
“The feedback from this Easter trial will help us to work out how best we can serve our communities and work out how best we can deliver this service to them.
“I’d urge anyone to come along and enjoy a family lunch with some friendly chat and fun. ”
Children under 10 should be accompanied by an adult.
