Quick Read
- Tesco is offering free British-grown apples to children in over 800 UK stores from Dec 30, 2025, to Jan 13, 2026.
- Over three million apples are expected to be given away as part of Tesco’s ‘Less To Pay For Five-a-Day’ campaign.
- The initiative supports healthy eating and follows Tesco’s previous efforts providing over 10 million fruit and vegetable portions to UK schoolchildren.
For many families in the UK, a visit to Tesco this new year might come with a welcome surprise: free fruit for children, courtesy of the supermarket giant’s revived healthy eating campaign. From December 30, 2025, to January 13, 2026, Tesco will distribute more than three million British-grown apples to children accompanying adults in over 800 large stores across the country, according to Manchester Evening News and Independent. The initiative is part of Tesco’s broader ‘Less To Pay For Five-a-Day’ campaign, which aims to nudge the nation towards healthier habits as resolutions kick in.
As the calendar turns, health goals become a staple of January conversations, and Tesco’s move is more than just a marketing ploy—it’s a response to a pressing public health challenge. Government figures indicate that less than one in ten children, and only one in five adults in the UK, meet the recommended target of five portions of fruit and vegetables per day. With healthy eating so often framed as an uphill struggle, Tesco’s scheme hopes to make the journey just a little easier—and perhaps a little more fun.
Children shopping with their families can simply pick up a free apple at the checkout, no strings attached. For those using Click and Collect at 119 of Tesco’s larger stores, the apples will be included in their orders, ensuring children don’t miss out on the offer. All apples are British-grown, sourced from six local suppliers, making this campaign not just a public health boost but a nod to supporting UK agriculture as well.
The scale is impressive: over two weeks, Tesco expects to hand out more than three million apples. This is more than a fleeting gesture—last academic year, the supermarket’s expanded Fruit and Veg for Schools programme provided over ten million portions of fruit and vegetables to about 140,000 children, reinforcing Tesco’s stated commitment to make healthy choices accessible and appealing for young people.
“We’re committed to making healthy choices easier, quicker and better value for our customers,” said Ashwin Prasad, UK CEO of Tesco, in comments reported by Manchester Evening News. He highlighted how the scheme ties in with other initiatives, including Clubcard Challenges, new offers, and online recipes, all designed to make the five-a-day goal not just achievable, but enjoyable.
But Tesco isn’t alone in this push. Other retailers, like Marks & Spencer and Morrisons, are rolling out new ranges of nutrient-dense and high-protein foods in January 2026, each trying to capture the attention of increasingly health-conscious shoppers, as noted by Standard. Yet, Tesco’s apples stand out for their simplicity: a piece of fruit, handed directly to children, with minimal barriers to access.
For parents wondering how to claim the free fruit, the process couldn’t be simpler—just shop with your child at a participating Tesco store. While Tesco hasn’t published an exhaustive list of locations, the scheme is available at over 800 large stores, and in 119 stores for Click and Collect customers. The focus, as ever, is on making healthy eating a normal, even enjoyable, part of daily life.
This renewed campaign is backed by research. Earlier in 2025, Tesco worked with the British Nutrition Foundation to conduct regional health consultations, uncovering some of the biggest hurdles families face when trying to eat well: lack of inspiration, limited accessibility, and confidence in cooking. These findings shaped Tesco’s strategy, which now includes refreshed online recipe hubs and new Clubcard prices and weekly offers on fruit and vegetables throughout January.
From January 12, 2026, Clubcard holders can also take part in Clubcard Challenges, earning points by purchasing fresh or frozen produce, beans, pulses, canned fruit and vegetables, and dried fruit. These incentives are designed to reward healthy choices, bringing value alongside nutritional benefits.
In a climate where rising costs and busy schedules can make healthy eating feel out of reach, Tesco’s scheme is a small but meaningful intervention. It’s a reminder that sometimes, the simplest gestures—like offering a free apple—can spark bigger changes in habits and attitudes. As the new year unfolds, millions of children will have the opportunity to reach for something nutritious, free of charge, every time they visit their local Tesco.
While the scheme’s impact will depend on how many families take up the offer, Tesco’s renewed focus on health—backed by practical steps and community research—signals a growing recognition that access to fresh food should be straightforward, not a privilege. The real test will be whether other retailers and policymakers follow suit, turning January’s resolutions into lasting change.
Sources: Manchester Evening News, Independent, Standard.