Free lunches for children and young people this summer
North Ayrshire Council will supply free lunches to young people during the summer break.
Throughout July, a healthy lunch will be provided to eligible children and young people of primary and secondary school age.
Families assessed as eligible for free school meals (based on low income) will also receive a direct cash payment for the entire summer holiday period, and these payments are made to parents and carers at the end of the current school term. This intervention is placing a further £75 into the pockets of those who need it most.
North Ayrshire Libraries staff will be assisting with the delivery of this year’s programme.
Packed lunches, including a drink, will be available weekdays from Monday 7 July until Friday 1 August and can be collected at the following council libraries across the different localities.
| Library Location | Days Open | Opening Times | Lunch Pick Up Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saltcoats Library | Mon,Tues,Thurs, Fri | 10am-1pm and 2pm-5pm | 12pm-1pm |
| Kilbirnie Library | Mon, Tues, Wed, Thurs, Fri | Mon, Thurs, Fri 10am-1pm and 2pm-5pm, Tues 10am-1pm and 2pm-6pm, Wed 10am-12.30pm | Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri 12pm-1pm, Wed 11.30am-12.30pm |
| Dalry Library | Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri | 10am-1pm and 2pm-5pm | 12pm-1.00pm |
| Kilwinning Library | Mon, Tues, Wed, Thurs, Fri | Mon, Thurs, Fri 10am-1pm and 2pm-5pm, Tues 10am-1pm and 2pm-6pm, Wed 10am-12.30pm | Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri 12pm-1pm, Wed 11.30am-12.30pm |
| Dreghorn Library | Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri | 10am-1pm and 2pm-5pm | 12pm-1pm |
| Irvine Library | Mon, Tues, Wed, Thurs, Fri | Mon, Thurs, Fri 9.30am-5.30pm, Tues 9.30am-7pm, Wed 9.30am-12.30pm | Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri 12pm-1pm, Wed 11.30am-12.30pm |
| Skelmorlie Library | Mon, Wed, Thurs | Mon 12pm-5pm, Wed 10am-1pm, Thurs 10am-4pm | Mon 12pm-1.00pm, Wed and Thurs 12pm-1pm |
| Fairlie Library | Tues, Fri | Tues 12pm-5pm and Fri 10am-2pm | 12pm-1pm |
| Largs Library | Mon to Fri | Mon, Thurs, Fri 10am-5pm, Tues 10am-6pm, Wed 10am-12.30pm | 12pm-1pm |
| West Kilbride Library | Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri | 10am-1pm and 2pm-5pm | 12pm-1pm |
| *Millport Library | Mon, Tues, Fri | Mon 1pm 5pm, Tues 1pm -4pm, Friday 10am -4pm | Mon and Tues 1pm-2pm, Friday 12pm-1pm |
| Arran High School | Mon to Fri | Collect from main entrance | 12pm-1pm |
*Please note that the Cumbrae location has now been updated to Millport Library and lunches will not be collected from Garrison House.
Councillor Shaun Macaulay, Cabinet Member for Education and Young People, is encouraging children and young people to take advantage of the summer school packed lunch pick up points.
Quote: We are delighted to provide packed lunches to children and young people this summer. As well as picking up their lunches, visitors can also meet up with friends in our libraries to enjoy a free, tasty and nutritious lunch in an accessible, safe and supervised environment. There’s no need to register – children and young people can simply turn up on the day at any of the participating venues. Thank you to our catering, facilities and libraries teams who are helping us to address the financial pressure on families during the Cost-Of-Living crisis. Alongside the packed lunches, we hope that the council’s one-off payment gives eligible families the freedom to shop for their own groceries and still make the most of the free packed lunch provision available during the summer break.”
Quote from: Councillor Shaun Macaulay, Cabinet Member for Education and Young People
Published: 30 June 2025