Tesco is reintroducing its Free Fruit for Kids scheme from December 30, with the supermarket expanding the initiative across hundreds of stores nationwide.
The retailer said the scheme will run for a fortnight, ending on January 13.
Tesco will hand out complimentary apples to young shoppers at more than 800 of its full-sized stores across the UK.
The supermarket said the initiative is expected to put more than 3 million pieces of fruit into children’s hands during the two-week period.
The Free Fruit for Kids scheme has been run previously, but Tesco said it believes the timing is particularly important this year.
The retailer said the return of the scheme comes amid concerns about fruit and vegetable consumption across the UK.
Government figures from the National Diet and Nutrition Survey, published in June 2025, show fewer than one in five people in the UK are eating the recommended amount of fruit and vegetables.
The same data shows the situation is more pronounced among children.
The retailer said the scheme will run for a fortnight
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According to the survey, only around one in ten children meet their daily fruit and vegetable intake targets.
The figures also show children from lower-income households face similar difficulties in achieving their five-a-day.
Tesco said the data underlines the need for additional support to help families make healthier food choices.
Ashwin Prasad, UK chief executive officer at Tesco, said the scheme forms part of a wider effort to promote healthier eating.
Financial barriers can prevent people from getting their five-a-day
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“We’re committed to making healthy choices easier, quicker and better value for our customers.
“With new offers, Clubcard Challenges, free fruit for kids and fresh online recipes, we’re helping kids get more of their five-a-day, and making healthy eating fun for the entire nation.”
Tesco said the free fruit initiative sits at the centre of a broader January health campaign.
The retailer said the scheme is designed to encourage children to choose fruit while shopping with their families.
Boxes of free fruit will be positioned near checkouts in participating stores.
Tesco said this intends to make it easy for families to pick up fruit before leaving the store.
Customers using Tesco’s Click and Collect service will also be able to receive complimentary apples.
The supermarket said 119 stores will offer free fruit to Click and Collect customers during the scheme.
Tesco said the initiative is open to all families shopping in participating locations.
The retailer said no purchase is required to receive the free fruit.
Tesco also outlined additional measures it plans to introduce as part of its January healthy eating push.
Selected customers will be able to earn Clubcard points when buying fresh and frozen fruit and vegetables
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GB NewsFrom January 12, selected customers will be able to earn Clubcard points when buying fresh and frozen fruit and vegetables.
The offer will also apply to beans, pulses and dried fruit.
Tesco said the points scheme is intended to encourage customers to add more nutritious items to their weekly shop.
The supermarket is also introducing new Clubcard Prices on selected fruit and vegetable products, saying that these price reductions are aimed at improving affordability for customers.
The retailer will also refresh its online five-a-day recipe hub in January.