Tesco has announced a major initiative to deliver fresh produce to schools across the UK.
- The programme will reach 400 schools, benefiting around 140,000 students nationwide.
- In partnership with the British Nutrition Foundation, the initiative aims to promote healthy eating among students.
- Research shows a significant increase in teachers personally providing food due to student need.
- Anticipated outcomes include improved intake of essential nutrients for participating students.
Tesco has committed £4 million to a new programme designed to provide fresh fruit and vegetables to schoolchildren across the United Kingdom. This significant investment, labelled ‘Fruit & Veg for Schools’, will reach 400 schools and is expected to benefit approximately 140,000 pupils, offering them daily access to produce.
Developed in collaboration with the British Nutrition Foundation, this scheme will deliver nearly 16 million pieces of fruit and vegetables throughout the school year. The targeted schools, which have a higher than average ratio of free school meals, will see each student receiving roughly 110 portions over the course of the year.
Recent research conducted by the food waste charity FareShare indicates an alarming rise in teachers bringing food to school to support children – increasing from 26% in the summer term to 28% recently, highlighting the ongoing issue of food insecurity among students.
Aligned with governmental nutritional goals, this initiative is expected to raise the fruit and vegetable intake among children by 23%. The British Nutrition Foundation estimates that this will lead to an increase of 7% in Vitamin A, 25% in Vitamin C, 14% in folate, and 10% in fibre intake among participants.
Tesco’s Chief Executive, Ken Murphy, expressed the company’s goal to help students develop healthier eating habits. “Our aim is to enable schools to provide enough fruit and veg for every child to have at least one piece every day,” Murphy stated, emphasising the broader educational benefits of familiarising young people with fresh produce.
Tesco’s £4 million commitment represents a strategic effort to address nutritional deficiencies and promote healthier eating habits among young people in the UK.
