A motion from the Labour Party called for free school meals to be extended outside of term time until April 2021 following a high-profile campaign by footballer Marcus Rashford.
However, the motion was rejected by 322 to 261 after being opposed by Conservative MPs.
Among those to vote against it were Education Secretary Gavin Williamson and children's minister Vicky Ford.
Many local authorities stepped-up to fund food parcels and supermarket vouchers for vulnerable children while others have sign-posted disadvantaged families to rafts of charities and local businesses offering support.
Some councils have vowed to continue support over the Christmas holidays as pressure mounts on the government to make a U-turn over the issue.
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