Free School Meals Customer Story

About Free School Meals

Free School Meals are a lifeline for millions of families across the UK who rely on the scheme to provide a free and nutritious meal five days a week.

When the pandemic hit, schools were forced to close, preventing families from accessing Free School Meals support. Almost overnight, the UK Government needed to find a digital solution that would enable them to distribute financial aid to families in need so that they could continue to provide a nutritious meal for their children while confined at home.

Innovation in action - the power of Tillo's gift card API

The challenge was immense: deliver a robust, inclusive solution nationally in a matter of days. Unfazed by the demands of the task, Tillo sprang into action.

Tillo’s robust platform and advanced API flexed to accommodate real-time and manual stock management, ensuring seamless delivery and redemption of gift cards across a broad spectrum of supermarkets. This adaptability, backed by real-time data and trend analysis, was fundamental in efficiently managing high demand.

Making a difference to children, parents, and teachers

Tillo’s involvement in the Free School Meals Programme was met with widespread approval. An astounding 94% of parents and carers expressed satisfaction with the FSM project, while 93% of schools agreed that gift vouchers were an effective alternative to in-person meal provision.

Years on, Tillo is still incredibly proud to power the UK Free School Meals Programme, which has now grown into UK Government Funded Projects allowing for vouchers to be used for more use cases.

Changing the future of digital gift cards

The UK's Free School Meals Programme has changed how many people perceive digital gift cards. Beyond the domain of retail, they've now proven their worth as an invaluable asset in the government sector, helping to facilitate relief support programs and funds disbursement swiftly and securely.

By connecting public services to a global network of brands, Tillo has proven the power of gift cards in delivering financial aid seamlessly, empowering philanthropic causes, and incentivizing responsible actions.

“We are delighted to be a part of this essential scheme which will help millions of families over the Summer.

We believe it is absolutely crucial that all children have access to nutritious food, whether schools are open or closed, without the additional meals eaten at home during the holidays placing a financial burden on families."

Richard Walker, managing director at Iceland