It comes after Manchester United star Marcus Rashford campaigned to extend free school meals over the half term school holidays with his petition to end child food poverty getting more than 400,000 signatures.
MPs voted down the bid, which was tabled by Labour, with 322 votes against the motion, while 261 voted in favour.
Only five Conservatives rebelled against the government to vote for feeding more than £1.4 million children during school breaks until Easter next year.
In response, businesses across Sheffield and South Yorkshire are now offering children under 16 free meals next week to ensure they don’t go hungry.
Find out which cafes and pubs are dishing out school meals free of charge below.
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1. The Handsworth Inn
The pub on Handsworth Road, Sheffield is offering free packed lunches on Monday, Wednesday and Friday next week to 'take away some stress from struggling parents'. Owners urged anyone who might need a free meal to get in touch on Facebook. They also encouraged people to drop off bread, fruit and ham at the pub for the packed lunches. Photo: Google
2. The Rhubarb Shed Cafe
The Rhubarb Shed Cafe in Sheffield is giving any child under 16 the opportunity to collect either a free sandwich, cupcake or hot chocolate from the shop on Thursday, October 29. The cafe took inspiration from a cafe in Rotherham also offering free meals and wanted to 'thank those families who have supported our family during lockdown by ordering from us'. Any child must be accompanied by a parent or guardian when collecting the food. Photo: Google
3. Delphine Fish and Chips
On Tuesday, October 27 at Delphine Fish and Chips in Heeley, Sheffield, any child up to 16-years-old can receive any hot meal, piece of fruit and a drink. The child must be accompanied by an adult and no minimum spend is required. In a post on Facebook, the shop said: "Thank you to all our customers for your continued support during these difficult times." Photo: Google
4. It's All About You
Eco-friendly and zero-waste shop It's All About You in Dronfield, is offering any families in Sheffield or Dronfield free dried pasta all of next week. The refill business said in a social media post: "I’ve been absolutely devastated to hear that the government has voted against free school meals over this half term for children that need it." It's All About You, which doesn't sell pasta sauces, urged people to drop off sauces for people in need. Photo: Google