Mum hits out at child’s measly school meal of half a raw jacket potato – with Marcus Rashford stepping in to investigate

A MUM was left pleading for help after sharing a photo of an “unacceptable” school meal. 

Chloe Davis was left disgusted at the “measly” dish which featured half a raw jacket potato topped with a few beans. 

The dish was finished off with a few strands of shredded lettuce and what appears to be a solitary slice of cucumber and yellow pepper.

The meal is being investigated by the Department for Education after it caught the attention of free school meals campaigner Marcus Rashford.

Horrified, Chloe tagged Man United forward Marcus Rashford and celeb chef Jamie Oliver pleading for their help and calling for an “end to child poverty”.

The Premier League star appeared eager to investigate as he requested more information, while the Department for Education Twitter account conceded the meal 'does not meet our school food standards' and were investigating.

Chloe claimed that it costs families £2.50 a day to receive a school meal and that even if this portion was double the size and had more vegetables it wouldn't cost more than £1.

The tweeter said she was 'totally shocked' and saddened for the children receiving such meals.

The image prompted similar outrage, and was branded 'disgusting' and 'atrocious'.

Chloe, from Bristol, Somerset, tweeted: "How can this be deemed acceptable for a school meal?

"Not only is it not enough but it's also not cooked properly (hard potato!) – this is the only hot meal for most of the children receiving this!

"MarcusRashford, jamieoliver are you able to help? #ENDCHILDFOODPOVERTY."

In a reply to her original tweet, Chloe wrote: "It costs the families £2.50/day to get a school meal.

"Even if this was double the size and with more veg it wouldn't cost more than £1!

"Totally shocked and sad for these children. MarcusRashford, jamieoliver #ENDCHILDFOODPOVERTY."

The Manchester United Player retweeted Chloe's post and it went viral racking up more than 17,768 likes, comments and retweets.

Marcus Rashford's tweet reads: "Where was this served Chloe?

"Chloe can you dm me info on where this was served and how this pic came about? Thank you."

Chloe's image went viral and social media users blasted the meager portion – with one even remarking that better meals are provided for 'criminals in jail'.

One wrote: "That seriously can't be a lunch for a kid."

Another added: "Even dogs would turn their nose up at that."

A third commented: "That's disgusting. The children that have to suffer with this."

Meanwhile, one said: "I was once in a prison in the sahara, and I ate better than that, like wt*…"

Parents replied to Marcus' tweet sharing their own experiences of school meals.

One mum wrote: "My daughter (7) was given a chicken wrap this week at school, just a small pitta bread with a chicken chunk in. She came home starving.

"Thought the governments were supposed to be getting better at providing nutritious dinners?"

Another added: "Shocking. This must stop now, so many families rely on decent, substantial, school meals."

The Department for Education's Twitter account wrote: "Thanks for sharing this, Chloe.

"This does not meet our school food standards and we're looking into it."

School food contracts are put in place by individual schools, multi-academy trusts and local authorities with a range of catering companies, claimed the DfE, who said they do not oversee nor offer a central contract to any food supplier.

A DfE spokesperson said: “With pupils and students returning to face-face-education, normal school meal provision has resumed, with caterers expected to provide healthy, nutritious meals to pupils.

“All food provided in schools must comply with the School Food Standards.

"We know caterers are working hard with schools to provide nutritious, balanced lunches for their pupils, but where this isn’t happening, we’ve set out a clear process for parents to raise concerns so appropriate action can be taken, by contacting their schools in the first instance or calling the Department’s helpline.”

Previously, Marcus Rashford said the outpouring of support for his free meals in school holidays campaign had shown the “power of kindness and compassion”.

After free school meals supplier’s stingy food parcels slammed, THIS is what we call £30 of food.

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