Tesco has announced the return of its popular 'Free Fruit for Kids' scheme, starting Monday, April 27, and running for five weeks until May 31. The initiative offers free apples to children shopping with their families at large Tesco stores, as well as at over 100 Click and Collect locations.
Addressing Low Fruit and Vegetable Consumption
The relaunch comes in response to new data from Tesco revealing that only one in ten children in the UK consumes the recommended five portions of fruit and vegetables per day. The supermarket aims to make healthier choices easier for families, particularly during school holidays when routines change and access to nutritious food can be more challenging.
Expanding the Programme
From September 2026, Tesco will double its Free Fruit and Veg for Schools programme, expanding from 500 to over 1,000 schools and reaching more than 388,000 children. Customers can contribute to the programme by donating when purchasing fruit and veg at Tesco until May 24.
Ken Murphy, Tesco Group CEO, stated: “We’ve set out an ambition to help one million children get free fruit and veg through our school and community programmes, supporting the development of healthy habits. Schools have told us what a positive impact the programme has already made, so we’re delighted to be able to double the number of schools receiving support from September.”
Encouraging Healthier Choices
The apples provided are British-grown, and the scheme builds on Tesco’s commitment to promoting healthy eating. According to Tesco’s research, nearly three-quarters (73%) of parents say their child is more likely to eat fruit and veg when they can choose it themselves, and the same proportion find that making food fun encourages children to try more.
Elaine Hindal, Chief Executive of the British Nutrition Foundation, commented: “A significant number of children in the UK are growing up with diets that don’t support their health. Early food experiences matter, as they can help to shape children’s confidence, habits and long-term health outcomes. Programmes like Tesco Free Fruit and Veg for Schools can help to make a lasting difference to diet and health now and in the future.”
Giant Fruit and Veg Challenge
To inspire children to be more adventurous with fruit and vegetables, Tesco is launching the Giant Fruit and Veg Challenge. This nationwide competition invites children to create their own fruit and veg-packed dish, with the winning recipe featured on menus across the UK and in Tesco’s programme. The challenge is supported by JLS star turned farmer JB Gill and his son Ace, alongside a panel of experts and nutritionists.
For more information and to enter the Giant Fruit and Veg Challenge, visit the Tesco website.
