Sales of fruit and veg in Devon will fund meals for children in Tesco’s Buy One to Help a Child campaign

Tesco customers buying fruit or vegetables in Devon will be helping to support children living in food insecurity.

From 21 March until Sunday 3 April, Tesco will give a donation when customers top up their trollies with healthy fruit and vegetables in store or at Tesco.com during the supermarket’s Buy One to Help a Child event.

The cash donated by Tesco from sales of all types of fruit and vegetables will enable its food redistribution charity partner FareShare to help thousands of children’s charities who rely on regular donations to help families and young people in communities get the food and help they need.

Last summer, the Tesco Buy One to Help a Child event saw customers fully supporting the campaign by buying produce every time they shopped.

In Devon the campaign saw 8,029 meals’ worth of food donated, supporting 60 frontline charities working with children and families.

Julian Mines, CEO at FareShare South West, said the donation will make a real difference to frontline charities working with children, and thanked Tesco customers.

He added: “The Tesco Buy One to Help a Child campaign makes such a difference to us because it helps us to support children and families in Devon during the school holidays. So many of the children we provide food for would normally rely on free school meals during term-time, but they do not get access to this support during the holidays.

“Supporting the needs of children early in their life is very important to FareShare as we see what a difference access to healthy food can make in young people’s lives. In our 10th year of partnership, we are very grateful for Tesco and their ongoing commitment to help FareShare redistribute good-to-eat food to thousands of charities across the UK.”

Jason Tarry, Tesco UK and ROI CEO, said: “FareShare do amazing work supporting frontline charities, and the food they distribute is making a real difference to young people and families in every part of the UK.

“Every time Tesco customers put a piece of fruit in their basket until April 3, Tesco will make a donation to FareShare, giving a little extra help to support them in their vital work, ensuring even more children can enjoy healthy and nutritious food.”

Tesco is a member of the Child Poverty Task Force, formed by Marcus Rashford, and continues to support his campaign for free school meals for every child who needs them, at any time.