Iceland Foods is offering an interest-free £75 loan for customers to spend on food, as new research from Iceland Foods highlights the financial strain UK families face this summer with 85% of parents reporting increased food bills during the school holidays.
In total, £553 million extra will be spent per week across British households through the summer holidays, as families need more food at home, as well as extra extra snacks and drinks to keep the kids going.
This comes as UK inflation rose to a near 18-month high this month, with food prices shooting up across the country for the third month running.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said Consumer Prices Index inflation rose to 3.6% in June, up from 3.4% in May and the highest since January 2024. The rise in food prices has been described as a 'hammer blow' for shoppers.
HOLD UP! Greggs Sausage Bean & Cheese Melts are now HALF PRICE! 😍 NOW £1.75, was £3.50!
— Iceland Foods ❄️ (@IcelandFoods) July 7, 2025
Offer ends 21.07.25. pic.twitter.com/NXYgYVsE9S
More than a quarter of parents (26%) say they’ve used Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) services just to get by with their grocery shopping in summer. One in ten parents (10%) have also relied on loans to manage their food bill, with 21% selling personal items to cover the cost.
Iceland is once again offering a more flexible and interest-free alternative through the Iceland Food Club.
Delivered in partnership with not-for-profit lender Fair for You, the Food Club provides an initial interest-free loan of up to £75 to eligible applicants, loaded onto a pre-paid card for use in-store or online at Iceland or The Food Warehouse.
The loan is repaid at £10 per week, helping families spread the cost of essentials without falling into a cycle of debt. Returning customers can load up to £100 onto their Food Club card during school holiday top-up windows, once they have paid back their previous loan. The details of how to apply are here.
Richard Walker, Executive Chairman of Iceland Foods, says: “The summer holidays should be a time for families to relax and make memories, not worry about how they’re going to afford their next food shop. But the reality for millions is very different. When we hear that nearly a quarter of parents are skipping meals so their children can eat, we know we have to step in.
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“Our Food Club will be available this summer, offering real, practical support that helps people stock up their fridges and freezers without falling into debt traps.”
Simon Dukes, CEO of Fair for You, adds: “The summer break is always one of the most financially stressful times of the year for families and with the rising cost of living, we’re expecting this six-week break to be our busiest period to date.
“Our Food Club with Iceland offers a safe, flexible alternative to high-cost credit, allowing parents to put food on the table now and repay in a way that works for them, especially when many will be preparing for the next set of back-to-school costs."
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