Although the summer holidays are often a time of excitement for families across the UK, they can also present challenges for parents when it comes to making sure the household is well fed, especially without the support of free school meals and continued cost-of-living challenges.
According to research by anti-poverty charity Trussell, a record 9.3 million people in the UK are currently facing hunger and hardship, with young children under five being the most at risk*.
Keen to help, Tesco is running a summer initiative that enables customers to get involved and provide fast relief to those experiencing hunger over the school holidays.
For in-store shoppers, Tesco will be offering pre-packed donation bags filled with nutritious, long-lasting food items like tinned tomatoes, sweetcorn and pineapple.
These bags will be available to pick up in large Tesco stores across the UK throughout July and August; for Scotland and Northern Ireland specifically, they will be on offer from 30 June to 10 August.
To get involved, simply select a bag when entering the store and purchase it along with your other shopping, then place it at the donation point near the exit.
The bags will typically cost from £2 to £4, allowing you to choose one that best suits you and your budget.
All collected food will be distributed by FareShare and Trussell to local charities and food banks, aiding those in communities up and down the country.
From 25 to 31 August, you can also choose to “round up” your purchases to the nearest £1 at checkout self-service tills.
This extra money will be shared between Trussell – which operates one of the nation’s largest food bank networks – and FareShare, a charity focused on fighting hunger and reducing food waste.
Additionally, shoppers who feel able to contribute more can add extra items to their basket from a “most needed” list and drop them off at collection points in Tesco stores.
You can also donate directly online here.
This summer’s most-needed items
- UHT and powdered milk
- Tinned meat and fish
- Long-life fruit juice
- Cooking/pasta sauces
- Tinned vegetables
- Tinned and dried soup
- Pasta, rice and noodles
- Cereal and porridge
- Tea and coffee
- Sponge/rice pudding
Continued support
This summertime initiative is part of Tesco’s ongoing support for Trussell and FareShare and follows the £8 million Stronger Starts programme launched in 2023, which funds healthy eating and fitness activities for children.
As part of this drive, Tesco introduced the Fruit & Veg for Schools scheme, supplying an additional piece of fresh produce daily to up to 140,000 children in 400 schools with the highest ratio of free school meals.
Plus, during the summer holidays, each participating school will receive a £250 Tesco gift card to provide additional food access for pupils.
Tesco’s support doesn’t end there, however, as the retailer is bringing back its Kids Eat Free scheme across UK cafes over the summer period.
This initiative includes a complimentary Kids Hot Meal Deal, Kids Breakfast, or Kids Pick ‘n’ Mix deal with any purchase made by an adult, for as little as 60p, when presenting their Tesco Clubcard or app at checkout.
Last summer, donations from Tesco customers enabled Trussell food banks to deliver over 1.4 million meals to families across the UK.
Emma Revie, chief executive of Trussell, said: “With some children missing out on free school meals, and parents facing additional costs such as school uniforms and shoes for the new term, Tesco has stepped up to help once again.
“By providing multiple avenues of support and building awareness among the public, Tesco is helping us ensure more families can put food on their tables. We’re extremely grateful for this ongoing generosity.”
Chief executive of Fareshare, Kris Gibbon-Walsh added: “The food we provide doesn’t just feed people; it offers a gateway to other services and activities that will help countless children play, have fun and make friends this summer.
“That’s why the donation bags in Tesco stores are vital. Any Tesco shoppers who can donate an item or two to FareShare will be making a significant difference to children and families.”
Claire De Silva, head of communities at Tesco, stressed how crucial these efforts are: “Our partners at FareShare and Trussell are seeing families and children needing extra support through the school holidays.
“Our pre-packed donation bags make it easy for customers to donate the most in-demand items to Trussell and FareShare.”
Learn more here about how your donation, no matter how small, can make a huge difference.
*Trussell report, 2025: The Cost of Hunger and Hardship
