Tesco is bringing back its free fruit giveaway for children this summer, with shoppers able to pick up complimentary apples in more than 800 stores across the UK from July 20. The supermarket's Free Fruit for Kids scheme will run until August 30 in England and Wales, with children able to collect free apples at checkouts in more than 800 large Tesco stores and 77 larger Tesco Express branches. Selected Click & Collect customers will also be able to pick up free apples for their children.
Summer Support for Families
The giveaway is part of Tesco's wider support for families during the school holidays, when many children who receive free school meals in term time face extra pressure. Alongside the free fruit, Tesco will continue its Kids Eat Free offer in 317 cafés across the UK. Families can claim one free children's meal, breakfast or Pick 'n' Mix deal when an adult buys an item from as little as 60p and shows a Tesco Clubcard or Clubcard App.
Food Bank Donations
The retailer is also encouraging shoppers to support food banks by purchasing pre-filled donation bags, costing between £2 and £4, with the contents going to charities Felix and Trussell to help families in need. Christine Heffernan, chief communications and sustainability officer at Tesco, said: "We want to be able to support our charity partners to help those needing a little extra support this summer. Our partnerships with Felix and Trussell are central to this aim."
Heffernan added: "When you’re out doing your weekly shop this summer, dropping a few tins into a food collection point, picking up a food donation bag in our stores or rounding up our grocery bill, can make a difference to the lives of thousands of children in communities across the UK."
Charity Perspectives
Matthew van Duyvenbode, co-chief executive officer at Trussell, said: "Our community of food banks distributed more than 900,000 parcels for children last year, demonstrating the unacceptable levels of hunger and hardship so many families are currently facing." Charlotte Hill, CEO at Felix, added: "We know from speaking to charities receiving food via our network that demand for food support is growing as people across the UK face cost-of-living pressures. During the school holidays, families will be facing additional financial burdens as they juggle the cost of childcare and food."
