Tesco marked the milestone expansion of its Free Fruit & Veg for Schools programme to 1,000 schools with a giant Fruity Pick ‘n’ Mix pop-up landing on London’s Southbank on Wednesday 16th September.
The supermarket chain gave away nearly 20,000 pieces of fruit and veg to passers by along with exclusive Tesco fruit and veg plushies.
The brand will be taking its Fruity Pick ’n’ mix on the road, rolling the activation out across the nation. Customers in select stores can grab their fruit and veg favourites absolutely free in the following stores with exclusive pick ’n’ mix pop ups in the car park:
- Cradley Heath Extra (Friday 25th September, 9am - 4:45pm)
- Wrexham Extra (Saturday 26th, 9am - 5:15pm)
- Middleton Extra (Sunday 27th, 9am - 4:00pm)
- Newcastle Upon Tyne Extra (Monday 28th, 9am- 4:45pm)
- Musselburgh Extra (Tuesday 29th, 9am - 6.15pm)
Remember when the TV got wheeled into the classroom?
New research from Tesco reveals the moments from primary school that Brits remember most fondly.
Top of the list nationwide is the excitement of the TV being wheeled into the classroom (31%), followed by cake and custard for pudding in the lunch hall (27%) and the last ten minutes of a Friday afternoon before the bell rang (27%).
However, some classroom traditions have stood the test of time better than others. More than a quarter (27%) of over-55s fondly remember playing conkers at school, compared with just 11% of 18–24-year-olds. For this younger generation, earning their pen licence tops the list of favourite primary school memories (29%)
It seems Brits would go a long way to relive those school days, too. More than half (51%) would give up a working day for the chance to spend a day back in the classroom, while almost one third (29%) would swap their phone for a week in exchange for the long summer holiday.
From sprinkle cake to fresh fruit
For many Brits, school-day nostalgia extends to the lunch hall. Classic favourites including milk cartons (35%), sprinkle cake (25%) and fish and chips (18%) are among the food and drink people remember most fondly.
But today's parents are hoping their children develop a different kind of food nostalgia, with 70% saying fruit and veg are the snacks they most want their children to eat at school.
The desire for healthier eating habits is shared by parents more broadly, with more than three quarters (76%) of parents of under-18s saying they’d like their children to eat more fruit and veg. With children spending so much of their time at school, ensuring they have access to healthy options there could help make these habits part of everyday life.
That’s where Tesco’s Free Fruit & Veg for Schools programme comes in.
Now in its third year, the programme provides funding to schools with higher-than-average proportions of children eligible for free school meals, in partnership with the British Nutrition Foundation. Since launching in October 2024, it has provided almost 20 million free portions of fruit and veg to schoolchildren across the UK, and has now reached 1,000 schools.
Children at participating schools enjoy everything from familiar favourites to less everyday produce, including blueberries, watermelon and asparagus, helping them discover new tastes while they learn and play.
Claire de Silva, Head of Communities at Tesco, said: “For many children, a piece of fruit or veg at school can be more than just a snack – it can be a chance to try something new, while providing important nutrients to support them as they learn and play. With 1,000 schools now taking part in the Tesco Free Fruit & Veg for Schools programme, we’re looking forward to bringing these benefits to even more children and families, particularly in communities where there can be more barriers to accessing fresh produce. Our Fruity Pick ’n’ Mix celebrates this milestone and encourages everyone to rediscover the joy of choosing their favourite fruit and veg.”
And it’s not just the school day that Brits would happily bring back. Other childhood perks a third (33%) of the nation would gladly carry into adulthood include finishing work at 3:30pm, being able to play with friends every day and - perhaps most relatable of all - not having to pay household bills.
Top 10 primary school memories
When the TV got wheeled into the classroom (31%)
- Cake and custard for pudding in the lunch hall (27%)
- The last 10 minutes of a Friday afternoon before the bell rings (27%)
- Getting a new pencil case for the start of the year (23%)
- Playing conkers in the playground (21%)
- Your favourite race at sports day (19%)
- Getting your art put up in the corridor (19%)
- Getting to sit on the bench rather than the floor in assembly (18%)
- Getting a sticker or star from a teacher (17%)
- Being chosen to take a note to another teacher (17%)
The Tesco Fruity Pick ’n’ Mix was available at Queen’s Walk on London’s Southbank on Wednesday 16th September from 8:30am–6pm and will also visit five Tesco stores across the UK from 25th to 29th September.
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