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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Only five Conservatives rebelled against the government to vote for feeding more than £1.4 million children during school breaks until Easter next year.
5. Bridge End Fisheries
The fish and chip shop on Bridge Street, Sheffield, announced they would be giving children a free sausage and chips or fish cake and chips meal between 11.30am and 2pm on Monday, October 26 to Friday, October 30. Owners, Julie and Neil urged parents to message them on Facebook if they required a free meal and said: "I believe everyone should stick together during these difficult times." Photo: Google
6. The Marmalade Hut
The Marmalade Hut in Rotherham is giving children under 16 a free ham or cheese sandwich bag and a packet of crisps between 12 noon and 2pm every day next week. The child, which needs to be accompanied by an adult, also needs to wear a mask. In a message on Facebook, the cafe wrote: "This is our way of saying #THANKYOU for your support recently and for being here for us, especially for buying those Halloween boxes." Photo: Google
7. The Sandwich Shop
The Sandwich Shop on Woodhouse Green in Rotherham, is also encouraging parents that are struggling to get in touch with them for a free children's hot or cold sandwich and a piece of fruit. The owners of the shop wrote on social media: "It's only a small gesture but we know people fall on hard times lately through no fault of their own and want to offer a helping hand to the local community who need it, thank you." Photo: Google