Tesco launches holiday support for families facing food insecurity
In addition, Tesco’s 317 cafes across the UK will again offer free meals for children during the holidays
Tesco is expanding its holiday support for children and families at risk of hunger during the school summer break, with new food aid measures and funding for school clubs.
The supermarket chain will provide £200 gift cards to 400 schools that take part in its Fruit and Veg for Schools scheme, enabling them to offer food and activities over the summer.
The initiative targets schools with higher-than-average rates of pupils eligible for free school meals.
Pre-packed food donation bags will also be on sale in all large Tesco stores, typically costing between £2 and £3. The bags contain long-life, healthy items and will be distributed via food charities FareShare and the Trussell Trust.
From 25 to 31 August, shoppers will also be invited to round up their bill at checkouts, with donations split between FareShare and the Trussell Trust. Last year, similar efforts raised more than £500,000.
In addition, Tesco’s 317 cafes across the UK will again offer free meals for children during the holidays. Customers with a Tesco Clubcard can claim one free kids’ meal with each adult purchase.
The support comes as food insecurity continues to affect many households. Research by the Trussell Trust found that last summer 32% of families with children struggled to afford balanced meals, and one in four children under five were at risk of needing food bank assistance.
Claire De Silva, head of communities at Tesco, said: “Too often, families with too little support during the holidays worry about their children’s physical and mental health, particularly if they’re not getting the good food every child deserves.
“If we all pull together over the summer… we can make a difference to the lives of thousands of children, who, without support, could have a tough summer holiday.”
Emma Revie, chief executive of the Trussell Trust, added: “It’s not right that so many families with children can’t afford to eat balanced meals. Our community of food banks distributed more than 1 million parcels for children last year.”
Kris Gibbon-Walsh, chief executive at FareShare, concluded: “The food that we provide doesn’t just feed people, it provides a gateway to other services and activities that will help countless children to play, have fun and make friends this summer.”
