// BBC BUSINESS NEWS — FINANZA
Families under pressure to find food in summer
Sofia Perkins, manager of Radstock Food Club, said there seemed to be "less stigma" surrounding food banks than previously
With the school holidays in full swing, a charity is running 'family fun days' to help those struggling with the cost of food over the summer break.
YMCA Cheltenham is hosting park-based events, which allow children to play outside and enjoy free, healthy food with their family.
Rob Charsley, head of communities, health and wellbeing at the charity, said 67 children and their families had attended an event in one week alone.
Meanwhile, in Somerset, Radstock Food Club said the increased cost of living had seen a rise in the number of people requiring their service, with more than 100 families now receiving food from the facility.
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Charsley said 18% of children in Cheltenham and 17% of Gloucester children experience very low food security.
"Summertime is a great and fun time for children, but it's also a difficult time for parents [dealing] with financial pressures and food poverty," he said.
"There can be real pressures for families to find those positive activities and be providing healthy food for children, and it all comes at a cost."
Charsley said the 'family fun day' events were proving "a real help for our community".