The so-called Fruity Pick ‘n’ Mix will also tour five Tesco stores across the UK until 29 September.
Tesco giving away free items to customers at stores across UK this week
Tesco is marking the milestone expansion of its Free Fruit and Veg for Schools programme to 1,000 schools this week. As part of the scheme, the so-called Fruity Pick ‘n’ Mix will also tour five Tesco stores across the UK until 29 September.
Now in its third year, the programme provides funding to schools with higher-than-average proportions of children eligible for free school meals, in partnership with the British Nutrition Foundation. Since launching in October 2024, it has provided almost 20 million free portions of fruit and veg to schoolchildren across the UK, and has now reached 1,000 schools.
Children at participating schools enjoy everything from familiar favourites to less everyday produce, including blueberries, watermelon and asparagus, helping them discover new tastes while they learn and play.
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Claire de Silva, Head of Communities at Tesco, said: “For many children, a piece of fruit or veg at school can be more than just a snack – it can be a chance to try something new, while providing important nutrients to support them as they learn and play.
“With 1,000 schools now taking part in the Tesco Free Fruit & Veg for Schools programme, we’re looking forward to bringing these benefits to even more children and families, particularly in communities where there can be more barriers to accessing fresh produce.
“Our Fruity Pick ’n’ Mix celebrates this milestone and encourages everyone to rediscover the joy of choosing their favourite fruit and veg.”
Tesco’s Free Fruit & Veg for Schools programme provides funding to over 1000 schools across the UK to provide pupils with fruit and vegetables during the school day.
The programme is designed to help children try a wider variety of fruit and veg, build confidence with healthy food, and support positive eating habits in a familiar school environment.
Since launching in 2024, the programme has expanded year on year and is delivered in partnership with expert organisations including the British Nutrition Foundation and Groundwork UK.
As part of Tesco’s wider commitment to children’s health, Tesco has an ambition to help up to one million school children across the UK with access to free fruit and vegetables for free through its school and community programmes.
Tesco’s ambition is to help one million school children across the UK access free fruit and vegetables through Tesco school and community programmes by July 2029.
Tesco is providing funding to schools to buy fruit and veg through its Free Fruit & Veg for Schools and Fruit & Veg Grants programmes.
Customers will also have the chance to get involved by voting in store to award new Fruit & Veg Grants to schools and kids groups across the UK through the blue token scheme
In addition, between 7 September and 4 October 2026 , Tesco will donate £0.01 per fresh fruit, vegetable and salad product sold in UK Tesco stores and on Tesco.com up to a maximum donation of £2.3 million.
Fruit and Veg plushies and bag charms are available in all large and selected express stores from 7 September. All profits from the sale of the Free Fruit & Veg for Schools plushies and bag charms in Tesco stores and on Tesco.com will be used to provide funding for schools for the purchase of fruit and vegetables through the Tesco Free Fruit & Veg for Schools programme
Since launching in 2024 in partnership with the British Nutrition Foundation, Tesco’s Free Fruit & Veg for Schools programme has already reached more than 188,000 children across the UK, with pupils consuming over 15 million portions of fruit and vegetables in its first year.
This year’s expansion will support over 388,000 children across the UK, helping more pupils develop healthier eating habits through regular access to fruit and vegetables.
