Free fruit and veg scheme launched for local schools

A local supermarket is providing free fruit and vegetables to schools in Melksham as part of a campaign promoting healthy eating among children.

Tesco Express in Bowerhill donated the first box of fresh produce to Bowerhill Primary School recently. Under the scheme, a different local school will receive a delivery each month.

The initiative aims to encourage more children to eat fruit and vegetables and increase awareness of healthy food choices. Tesco aims to provide fruit and vegetables to one million children across the country between 2026 and 2029.

Headteacher Chris Light said, “By Tesco dropping off foods like pineapples and different grape varieties, it increases the children’s awareness of what different foods taste like but also where they come from and different climates.

“Healthy eating is an important part of our curriculum. This starts in Reception with their topic ‘Food, Glorious Food’ and continues right the way through the school. Working with Tesco on their fruit and veg initiative supports us in this mission by giving access to a wider variety of fresh produce. Children in our younger year groups get free fruit each day but this tends to be on a rotation of a few items. We also used the food in different ways by using it for still life painting in Year 1.”

Retail manager of Tesco Express Melksham, Ian Seymour, said, “Having children of my own, I feel it is really important to get our children eating healthy and engaging with them on the importance of eating well.”

As part of Tesco’s campaign, it is also offering grants of up to £1,500 to local schools, community groups and charities for projects that improve access to healthy, nutritious food for children.

For more information about the grants, visit www.tescoplc.com/sustainability/communities/fruit-and-veg-grants

Pictured: Chris Light and Ian Seymour