Tesco launches apple giveaway as part of January health campaign

Tesco has launched a “Less to pay for 5-a-day” campaign to help families get off to a healthy start in 2026.

For two weeks from 30 December to 13 January, children shopping with their families will be able to pick up free apples at checkouts in over 800 large Tesco stores. Click & 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 from six suppliers across the UK, Tesco confirmed.

The supermarket said it expects to give away over three million apples over the two-week period, building on its expanded Fruit & Veg for Schools programme.

In the 2024-2025 academic year, around 140,000 children were supported with over 10 million portions of free fruit and veg.

Tesco stressed that the apple giveaway is just one element of the latest stage of its wider healthy food campaign that is running in stores and online through January to encourage customers to make healthier choices through great offers and recipe inspiration.

Further initiatives include:

• From 12 January, selected customers will be invited to earn Clubcard points through Clubcard Challenges by buying fresh and frozen fruit and veg, beans and pulses, canned fruit and veg and dried fruit
• New Clubcard Prices and offers will be available on fruit and veg, on top of weekly Fresh 5 offers on 5 A Day basics
• A refreshed 5 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 5 A Day recipes
• Social media posts on Tesco channels will also share healthy food content, showcasing the value that can be found in getting 5 A Day
• Some of the key products being highlighted in deals and recipes include apples, oranges, lettuce and avocados, as well as frozen options like peas, sweetcorn 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. The new campaign therefore aims to tackle those barriers.