Tesco, the UK's largest supermarket chain, has announced the launch of an ambitious initiative aimed at providing fresh fruit and vegetables to schoolchildren in some of the nation's most disadvantaged areas. The initiative, dubbed the "Tesco Fruit & Veg for Schools" campaign, is set to distribute £4 million worth of fresh produce to 140,000 pupils across 400 primary and secondary schools in the UK, ensuring that each child receives at least one piece of fruit or a vegetable daily. This first-of-its-kind project is an effort to improve the dietary habits and overall wellbeing of young people by fostering an appreciation for healthy eating.

The project, developed in collaboration with the British Nutrition Foundation and sustainability charity Groundwork, seeks to identify schools with high numbers of students eligible for free school meals. Schools will receive funding based on their size, with amounts ranging from £4,000 to £21,000 per year. Armed with prepaid cards, schools can purchase the necessary produce from their nearest Tesco store, enabling them to prepare and distribute the fresh ingredients to students both in and outside classroom settings.

Ken Murphy, Tesco's Group Chief Executive, emphasised the aim of the programme, stating, "Our goal is to support schools in providing enough fruit and veg so that every child can have at least one piece every day. This project represents a real opportunity to make a positive impact on young people's diets and encourage healthier eating habits."

The need for such an initiative is underscored by data from the National Diet and Nutrition Survey which reveals that only 12% of children aged between 11 and 18 meet the World Health Organization's recommendation of consuming at least 400g of fruit and vegetables daily. Alongside this, many children are not obtaining sufficient vitamins and fibre, key essential nutrients for their growth and health.

Celebrity chef and social media influencer, Poppy O'Toole, is lending her support to the campaign. Known widely as Poppy Cooks, she will provide recipes and cooking inspiration linked to the scheme, aiming to make it easier and more enjoyable for children to incorporate fruits and vegetables into their diet. "I am thrilled to be a part of Tesco's initiative," Poppy shared. "I want to help show kids that including fruit and veg in our meals isn't just healthy but fun and delicious too."

Mandeville Primary School in Hackney, East London, was among the first to benefit from the scheme. Students there expressed their appreciation by giving the project a thumbs-up, saying it was a delightful way to learn more about nutrition. Headteacher Marc Chapman noted the positive impact of the initiative, stating, "Access to good quality fresh food should be a right for every child, and this programme helps ensure all our pupils benefit nutritionally."

The Tesco Fruit & Veg for Schools campaign is set to run throughout the academic year, striving to distribute around 16 million pieces of fruit and vegetables equating to approximately 110 portions per child. Through this initiative, Tesco aims not only to provide essential nutrition but to pique children's interest in healthy eating and cooking, giving them a stronger start in life.

UK Quality Food Awards

This year, Tesco have one product shortlisted for a Quality Food Award - their Tesco Finest Passion Fruit, Mango and Lime Cake. Take a look at the full shortlist here: https://uk.qualityfoodawards.com/QFA24/en/page/2024-shortlist

This year, after a series of successful virtual events, the Quality Food Awards returns to a live format, bringing together top brands, retailers, suppliers, and industry experts in a vibrant and engaging setting. The 2024 event introduces a new hybrid format:

Networking Space: A lively standing reception with cocktails, canapés featuring products from shortlisted companies, and entertainment. This space is designed to foster connections and discussions.

Awards Space: A theatre-style awards presentation with informal seating. Categories will be awarded in segments, allowing attendees to focus on their specific sectors of interest.

Places are limited - book your spot here.