Major supermarket confirms FREE fruit offer at more than 800 stores - all you need to know

A major supermarket has revived a popular free food offer to help families during the summer holidays.

Millions of shoppers could benefit from the scheme, which is available at hundreds of stores across the country.

Tesco has brought back its Free Fruit for Kids initiative, allowing children to collect a complimentary apple while their parents shop.

The offer is available at checkouts in more than 800 large Tesco stores and 77 Express branches across the UK.

It began on 20 July and will run until 30 August, covering some of the busiest weeks of the school summer break.

Families ordering groceries online may also receive free apples when collecting their shopping from selected Click and Collect locations.

Announcing the scheme on Instagram, Tesco said: "Free Fruit for Kids is back this summer to help children get one of their five a day."

The apples are subject to availability, with the initiative intended to give families a healthier snack during their regular supermarket visit.

Tesco first introduced the programme in 2016 as an alternative to the sweets and chocolate traditionally displayed near supermarket checkouts.

The revived offer forms part of the retailer's wider commitment to give one million school-aged children free access to fruit and vegetables by July 2029.

Tesco is also working with the British Nutrition Foundation to run its Free Fruit and Veg for Schools programme, which currently operates in more than 500 schools across the country.

The retailer has said of the effort: "We want to help one million school kids get fruit and veg for free. Because every little helps.

"Our Free Fruit and Veg for Schools programme is providing access to fruit and veg across over 500 schools in the UK, supporting thousands of children get more of their five-a-day."

Alongside the fruit giveaway, Tesco's popular Kids Eat Free promotion is running across 317 of its cafés throughout the summer holidays.

This year, the offer has been extended to cover weekends for the first time and runs for a longer period across all UK regions.

Families can claim a complimentary children's meal — choosing from a Kids Hot Meal Deal, Kids Breakfast, or Kids Pick 'n' Mix deal — with every adult item purchased from as little as 60p.

A valid Tesco Clubcard or the Clubcard app must be presented at the till to redeem the deal.

The café scheme provides a full meal at no extra cost for youngsters, easing the financial burden on households during what is often the most expensive stretch of the year.

Tesco is also stocking pre-filled food donation bags in all its large stores, priced between £2 and £4, containing long-life nutritious items and essentials.

In England and Wales, the bags are available from 20 July to 30 August, while shoppers in Scotland and Northern Ireland have been able to purchase them since 6 July, with that window closing on 16 August.

All donated goods are channelled through Trussell and Felix, which distribute them to food banks and community charities supporting families most in need.

The scale of demand remains stark. According to Trussell, food bank usage among children is still 34 per cent higher than before the pandemic, with emergency food parcels for under-fives rising by 24 per cent over the same period.

Claire De Silva, Tesco's Head of Communities, 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. 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."

Matthew van Duyvenbode, co-chief executive of Trussell, noted that the organisation's food bank network handed out more than 900,000 parcels for children last year, calling the levels of hunger facing families "unacceptable."

Charlotte Hill, chief executive of Felix, highlighted that demand for food support is growing as cost-of-living pressures mount, with the school holidays placing additional financial strain on families juggling childcare and food costs.