The retailer announced its popular scheme will be making a return to stores across the UK from the end of December
Tesco has confirmed it will be bringing back a popular scheme for shoppers to take advantage of starting this week. As millions of people set themselves New Year’s resolutions to eat healthier, Tesco has decided to launch a campaign to give a helping hand.
The supermarket says it is continuing its mission to help families across the nation eat more fruit and vegetables and get off to a healthy start for 2026 with its ‘Less To Pay For Five-a-Day’ campaign. For two weeks, from December 30, 2025, to January 13, 2026, children shopping with their families will once again be able to pick up free apples at checkouts in over 800 large Tesco stores.
Click and Collect customers will also be given free apples for their children in 119 of Tesco’s large stores. The apples provided will be British-grown, sourced from six suppliers across the UK, helping children access more of this fruit.
Ashwin Prasad, UK CEO of 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.”
Tesco expects to give away over three million apples over the two week period. This builds on Tesco’s expanded Fruit and Veg for Schools programme. helping more children across the UK access free fruit and vegetables through their schools, and in the last academic year (2024/2025), around 140,000 children were supported with over 10 million portions of fruit and vegetables.
Government figures show that fewer than one in ten children and one in five adults eat the recommended five servings of fruits and vegetables per day. This follows a year-long consultation carried out in communities across the UK, with Tesco aiming to make healthy eating easier and cheaper for every household.
The free fruit and vegetables are just one element of the latest stage of Tesco’s wider healthy food campaign, which is running in stores and online through January to encourage customers to make healthier choices. In addition, from January 12, 2026, selected customers will be invited to earn Clubcard points through Clubcard Challenges by purchasing fresh and frozen fruit and vegetables, beans and pulses, canned fruit and vegetables, and dried fruit.
New Clubcard Prices and offers will be available on fruit and veg, in addition to weekly Fresh Five offers on five-a-day basics. A refreshed five-a-day hub on the Tesco Real Food website will provide recipe ideas and inspiration.
The January edition of the Tesco Magazine will also have a six-page spread including inspirational five-a-day recipes. Social media posts on Tesco channels will also share healthy food content. Some of the key products being highlighted in deals and recipes include apples, oranges, lettuce, and avocados, as well as frozen options such as peas, sweet corn, and mixed vegetables.
Earlier this year, Tesco conducted regional health consultations in partnership with the British Nutrition Foundation to understand the hurdles local communities across the UK face when it comes to healthy eating. It found that inspiration, accessibility and confidence in cooking were among the biggest barriers, especially for families and young people.
