Tesco is giving free food items away to shoppers in 800 of its UK stores from Tuesday for a limited time only.

The supermarket chain has announced the return of its popular Free Fruit for Kids scheme will be returning to stores from the end of December as part of efforts to get the nation eating more fruit and veg. For a two-week period running from Tuesday, December 30, 2025, until Tuesday, January 13, 2026, children shopping with their families will be able to pick up free apples at checkouts in more than 800 Tesco stores. Click and Collect customers will also be given free apples for their children in 119 of Tesco’s large stores, with the fruit being supplied from six suppliers across the UK.

Tesco has said it expects to give away more than three million apples over the two-week period, with the scheme continuing the work of its expanded Fruit and Veg for Schools programme, which gives children access to free fruit and vegetables through their schools.

The return of the free fruit scheme this week aims to help families get off to a healthy start in 2026 after Government figures show that fewer than one in 10 children, and one in five adults, eat the recommended five-a-day.

In addition to the free fruit, selected Tesco customers will also be offered personalised Clubcard Challenges on fruit and veg into the new year, along with new recipes, Clubcard prices and offers.

From Monday, January 12, 2026, until Sunday, February 22, 2026, Tesco said selected customers will be invited to earn Clubcard points by buying fresh and frozen fruit and veg, beans and pulses, canned fruit and veg, and dried fruit in stores.

New Clubcard prices and offers will also be available on fruit and veg on top of weekly Fresh 5 offers on five-a-day basics, and a refreshed 5-a-day hub on the Tesco Real Food website will provide recipe ideas and inspiration.

Ashwin Prasad, UK CEO, Tesco, said: “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.”