South Tyneside schools and community groups across urged to apply for Tesco grants to boost children’s access to healthy food

The community grant scheme awards up to £1,500, with shortlisted projects going forward to a customer vote in participating Tesco stores.

Shoppers receive a blue token and can vote by placing it in the in-store unit for the cause they want to support. Each funding round features three local projects, with grants awarded based on the number of tokens received.

This year, Tesco is particularly keen to hear from initiatives with a clear food focus, including breakfast clubs, holiday food provision, access to healthy snacks for youth groups, community pantries, cookery and nutrition sessions, and food growing projects that help children learn where food comes from.

The call for applications comes as the latest Government diet survey shows that fewer than one in 10 children and young people aged 11–18 meet the recommended five-a-day, with 11–18-year-olds eating an average of around 2.9 portions of fruit and vegetables per day.

Tesco believes every child should have the opportunity to enjoy healthy food and is committed to backing practical projects that make a difference locally.

Claire De Silva, Head of Community at Tesco, said: “Every child deserves the chance to enjoy healthy food and build the foundations for a healthier future, we want to support the brilliant schools and community groups in South Tyneside helping children and young people access nutritious food.

"Whether that’s a breakfast club, a pantry, cookery sessions or a project that helps children grow and try new foods, we’d encourage local organisations to apply – and we’d love shoppers to get involved when the customer vote comes to their local store.”

For more information about Tesco Stronger Starts and how to apply, visit: www.tescoplc.com/sustainability/communities/strongerstarts.