Parents face £2,200 food bill as Morrison's and Co-op cut prices

New research suggests households could spend an extra £205 a week on food while children are off school, taking the total grocery bill over the six-week break to around £2,256.

The survey of 1,000 parents found the average weekly food shop rises from £171 during term time as children eat more meals and snacks at home.

More than a third (37%) of parents said they are "pestered non-stop" for food during the holidays, while almost eight in 10 (78%) said their children already eat more than the adults in the household.

Nutritionist Sophie Trotman said: "The summer holidays can feel like a never-ending snackathon for parents.

"Children are naturally more active, more social and often at home for longer periods, which means they're thinking about food more frequently."

Morrisons launches summer savings

To help families make their money go further, Morrisons has introduced money-saving offers on hundreds of family favourites throughout July and August.

The deals are available in stores nationwide and online, with discounts on fresh fruit, lunchbox staples, picnic favourites, snacks, drinks and easy meal ingredients.

Children being home for the summer can send grocery bills soaring, but Morrisons is cutting prices on everything from fresh fruit to lunchbox favourites. (Image: Morrisons)

Among the offers are:

• Three packs for £5 on selected fresh fruit including berries, cherries, grapes, nectarines, apples, oranges and pears.
• Walkers French Fries six-packs reduced to £1.50 until 2 August.
• Selected Dairylea Dunkers Jumbo Tubes now £1.50.
• Philadelphia Soft Cheese (165g) reduced from £2.25 to £1.35 until 28 July.
• Penguin biscuits, Cadbury Fingers, Mini Animals, Freddo multipacks, Little Bars and Fudge Bars all priced at £1.25 during July.
• Two for £3 on selected Fever-Tree soft drinks and Shloer bottles.

Alex Paver, Morrisons' Customer Value & Loyalty Director, said: "With the school holidays meaning more meals at home and more days out, we know value matters more than ever.

"That's why we've focused these savings on our Market Street fresh fruit alongside popular snacks and drinks, helping customers enjoy fresh, quality food and make the most of summer for less."

Co-op also launches summer savings

It's not just Morrisons helping families stretch their budgets this summer.

Co-op has also rolled out a series of seasonal promotions for members and shoppers, with savings on everything from fresh fruit and family meals to branded groceries and drinks.

Among the highlights are:

• British ranch steak and fries for £4 for Co-op members (or £5 for non-members), saving up to £3.90. Available from July 22 to 18 August.
• Two packs of British berries for £4.50, including selected strawberries, blueberries and raspberries, saving up to £1 until August 18.
• Co-op Members can mix and match, and choose on own brand and branded Freezer Favourites, buying three for £6.00, saving up to £7.50. The deal includes:  Birds Eye 2 Crispy Chicken Grills 170g / Birds Eye 2 Southern Fried Chicken Grills 180g / Birds Eye 12 Chicken Dippers 220g / Birds Eye 2 Garlic & Herb Chicken Kyiv 204g / Rowntree’s Fruit Blast Lollies 6x58ml / Walls Twister Pineapple 6x50ml / Rowntree’s Fruit Pastille Berries 4x65ml / Walls Calippo Lemon & Lime 5x80ml / Aunt Bessie’s 10 Yorkshire Pudding Bigger and Better 190g / Birds Eye Protein Mexican Bowl 350g / Birds Eye Protein Red Thai Curry Bowl 350g. Available until July 28.

The offers are available in Co-op stores and online, although prices may vary and all products are subject to availability.