More kids to benefit from healthy food scheme

With the new school year well underway, thousands of children are diving into a brand-new lesson, and it’s one that’s transforming how they learn, eat and grow.

Tesco Fruit & Veg for Schools is a first-of-its-kind initiative that delivers millions of portions of healthy food to schools that provide a higher-than-average percentage of free school meals.

This helps to support children’s wellbeing and boost learning.

Those schools include Ark Putney Academy, in southwest London, which also received an extra bonus in the form of actor and comic Babatunde Aléshé, who came with a big box of fruit and veg to give a fun lesson to pupils on getting their five-a-day.

“You can see how excited the kids were to be learning about healthy food,” says dad of two Babatunde, 39.

“They were chopping up the pineapples, squabbling over the mango, eating the carrots and peeling the oranges. I gave a sweet pepper to one young boy and he went wild. These children really get it.”

Launched in 2024, the Fruit & Veg for Schools scheme saw in its first year 411 schools being given over 10.8 million portions of healthy produce, giving kids a nutritious boost during the school day they might not otherwise get.

The initiative has been extended for this academic year to over 500 schools. They will be given enough fruit and veg to provide each child with at least one piece every day.

And the evidence is clear – of the schools involved in last year’s programme, 94% of teachers surveyed* reported improved behaviour in the classroom, with pupils showing a sharper focus, more energy and better behaviour.

And 100% of teachers agreed that Tesco Fruit & Veg for Schools has made a positive difference to the lives of each young person it has reached.

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