Retailer Tesco has unveiled a series of initiatives to support children and families facing food shortages over the school summer holidays.

The measures, which come under the supermarket’s stronger starts programme, are designed to support children who would normally receive free school meals during term time and are at risk of missing meals over the holiday. 

The grocery giant will be selling pre-packed donation bags in all of its large stores over the summer, which typically cost between £2 and £3 and contain healthy, long-life items.

The donated food is given straight to charities FareShare and Trussell, who will distribute it to charities and food banks to help UK families.

Tesco is also giving £200 gift cards to all 400 schools that are part of its term-time fruit and veg for schools programme, as schools run holiday breakfast and lunch clubs over the summer. 

From 25 to 31 August, shoppers will be able to round up their bill at the checkout to the nearest pound, with the funds split between FareShare and Trussell. Online shoppers will also be able to donate at the checkout.

In addition, Tesco will be running its kids eat free scheme in its 317 UK cafes over the summer holidays.

The cafes will offer one free kids hot meal deal, kids breakfast or kids pick ‘n’ mix deal with each item purchased by an adult from as little as 60p, when they show their Tesco Clubcard or Clubcard app at the till.

Tesco head of communities Claire De Silva 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, whether that’s popping a few tins into a food collection point, picking up a food donation bag in our stores or rounding up our grocery bill, we can make a difference to the lives of thousands of children, who, without support, could have a tough summer holiday,” she added.

Tesco launched its food bank donation bags in 2023, to help food banks reach increased demand over the summer.

The bags, which typically cost around £3.50, are available across 300 of its stores from 24 July to 3 September.

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