Supermarket giant Tesco is launching a major healthy eating initiative to help families kickstart 2026, confirming the return of its popular free fruit scheme for children.
Free Apples for a Healthy Start
From Monday, December 30, 2025, until Tuesday, January 13, 2026, children accompanying their families can pick up a free apple at the checkouts of more than 800 large Tesco stores across the UK. The retailer also confirmed that Click and Collect customers will receive free apples for their kids at 119 of its larger outlets.
All apples provided under the scheme will be British-grown, sourced from six different suppliers within the UK. Tesco estimates it will give away over three million apples during the two-week campaign period.
Part of a Wider Health Mission
This initiative forms a key part of Tesco's broader 'Less To Pay For Five-a-Day' campaign, designed to support the nation's New Year health resolutions. The move comes as official government statistics reveal concerning trends: fewer than one in ten children and only one in five adults consume the recommended five daily portions of fruit and vegetables.
Ashwin Prasad, UK CEO of Tesco, stated: "We’re committed to making healthy choices easier, quicker and better value for our customers. With new offers, Clubcard Challenges, free fruit for kids and fresh online recipes, we’re helping kids get more of their five‑a‑day, and making healthy eating fun for the entire nation."
The campaign builds upon Tesco's expanded Fruit and Veg for Schools programme, which in the last academic year (2024/2025) provided over 10 million portions of produce to approximately 140,000 children.
More Ways to Earn and Eat Well
Beyond the free fruit, Tesco's January health push includes several other elements to encourage nutritious choices:
- Clubcard Challenges: Starting January 12, 2026, selected customers can earn Clubcard points by purchasing items like fresh and frozen fruit and vegetables, beans, pulses, and canned goods.
- New Offers: The supermarket will introduce new Clubcard Prices and weekly 'Fresh Five' offers on five-a-day staple items.
- Recipe Inspiration: A refreshed five-a-day hub on the Tesco Real Food website, a six-page feature in the January Tesco Magazine, and social media content will all provide healthy meal ideas.
The campaign follows a year-long consultation by Tesco, conducted in partnership with the British Nutrition Foundation, which identified inspiration, accessibility, and cooking confidence as the primary barriers to healthy eating for families and young people across the UK.
