Three million children have eaten free or reduced-price meals in supermarket ... trends now
Millions of children have eaten for free or at discounted prices in supermarket cafes in recent months, figures reveal, as families continue to feel the pinch of the cost of living crisis.
According to the BBC, more than three million youngsters have taken advantage of the cafes and their bargain deals since May, after special campaigns were launched over the summer holidays and half term.
Marks & Spencer, which operates some 330 cafes, said it was experiencing a new 'after-school rush' due to its offerings.
But among those leading the pack has been Asda, which has served a million £1 children's meals since June, with the deal still being made available to cash-strapped families.
According to the BBC, more than three million youngsters have taken advantage of the warm cafes and their bargain deals since May, after special campaigns were launched over the summer holidays and during half term. (Pictured: The current deals at three of the big supermarket chains)
Asda is offering over 60s soup, a bread roll and unlimited tea and coffee for £1 until the end of December
It has also launched its 'Winter Warmers' promotion, which offers customers aged 60 and above soup, a roll and unlimited cups of tea for just £1 in any of its 205 cafes throughout November and December.
A spokesperson told MailOnline today: 'The Kids Eat for £1 and OAP Winter Warmer Café £1 meal deal have this week hit a staggering 1 million meals served since June.
'The £1 café deals are averaging around 50,000 meals a week as 89 per cent of people say the rise in the cost of living is the biggest concern for them.'
Asda said sales of the low-cost meals were highest in half term and school holidays. However, in the four weeks since the October break, around 29,500 £1 Kids meals are still being sold per week.
Almost three quarters (73 per cent) have been new Asda cafe customers, while around a third were visiting the supermarket for the first time purely for the meal deal.
And 41 per cent of baskets contained two or more meals, meaning multiple children were often being fed per visit.
Mohsin Issa, Asda's co-owner, added: 'We have launched these initiatives to support our customers and communities this winter as we know it's going to be incredibly hard for many people due to rising living costs.
Leading the pack has been Asda, which has served a million £1 children's meals since June, with the deal still being made available to cash-strapped families
ONS figures show that all food and drink has gone up in September - with staples like milk rising by up to 42%
The offer can be taken up in any of Asda's cafes throughout November and December
'We have already served more than a million meals through our Kids Eat for £1 and Winter Warmers deals, and we hope that many more families and over 60s will visit in December to take advantage of these offers.
'On top of this, we've invested £2.4 million through Asda and the Cost-of-Living grant programme led by Asda's charity, The Asda Foundation who support grassroots organisations providing a lifeline in their communities during these tough times.'
Sainsbury's is also continuing to offer deals throughout the Christmas period.
A Sainsbury's spokesperson said: 'We know that customers are counting every penny right now and the school holidays can be especially tough.
'To help support families, we are going to be offering a free kids hot meal or kids lunch bag with the purchase of any adult hot main meal from £5 in our cafes, during the Christmas holidays.
'During school term time, we will be offering kids eat for £1 with the purchase of any adult hot main meal from £5.'
Morrisons, meanwhile, which has more cafes than any other supermarket, gave away 70,000 free children's meals each week through the summer holidays, it was reported.
It is now offering a free kids meal for every adult who spends more than £4.49 in the cafe.
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