How you can help combat holiday hunger this summer

The summer holidays are almost here, and millions of kids across the UK are looking forward to weeks off school.

However, for many parents, the long break won’t be full of fun and excitement. Instead, it will be a time of stress and anxiety as they struggle with the additional cost of feeding their household.

According to research by anti-poverty charity Trussell, a record 9.3 million people in the UK are currently facing hunger and hardship, with young children under five being the most at risk*.

And the charity expects to see continued high levels of need once the school term ends.

Fortunately, charities on the frontlines of the fight against food poverty are now preparing to meet this rising demand – but they still need extra help.

Tesco is making it easier for its customers to get involved and help provide immediate relief to those experiencing holiday hunger.

For customers shopping in-store, Tesco is providing pre-packed donation bags featuring healthy, long-life food items such as tinned tomatoes, sweetcorn, and pineapple.

These donation bags will be available in large Tesco stores across England and Wales from 21 July to 30 August, and in Scotland and Northern Ireland from 30 June to 10 August.

The bags typically cost between £2 and £4, allowing you to choose one that fits your budget.

All you have to do is pick a bag off the stand on your way into the store, take it to the tills and pay for it along with your own shopping, then simply drop it in the donation point near the exit.

All food collected will be distributed by FareShare and Trussell to local charities and food banks, helping those in communities just like yours.

Also, between 25 and 31 August, the retailer will give you the option to “round up” your total to the nearest £1 at checkout self-service tills.

This additional amount will be split between Trussell, which operates one of the UK’s largest networks of food banks, and FareShare, a UK charity dedicated to combating hunger and reducing food waste.

Shoppers who feel they’re able to contribute a bit more can add further items to their basket from the “most needed” list below and drop them off at the in-store collection points.

You can also donate directly online here.

The campaign is part of Tesco’s year-round support for Trussell and FareShare, and follows the £8 million Stronger Starts initiative, launched in 2023, which funds healthy food and fitness activities for children.

As part of the initiative, Tesco implemented the Fruit & Veg for Schools scheme, providing an extra piece of fresh fruit or vegetable each day for up to 140,000 kids in the 400 schools with the highest ratio of free school meals.

This summer, each participating school will receive a £250 Tesco gift card to ensure pupils have access to extra food during the break.

Also, during the school summer holidays, for families shopping in-store, Tesco’s popular Kids Eat Free scheme will return to its cafes across the UK.

This programme offers one free Kids Hot Meal Deal, Kids Breakfast, or Kids Pick ‘n’ Mix deal with each item bought by an adult for as little as 60p when they show their Tesco Clubcard or Clubcard app at the till.

Last July and August, donations from Tesco customers supported food banks in the Trussell community to provide more than 1.4 million meals for families.

Emma Revie, chief executive of Trussell, said, “With some children missing out on free school meals, and parents facing additional costs such as school uniforms and shoes for the new term, Tesco has stepped up to help once again.

“By providing multiple avenues of support and building awareness among the public, Tesco is helping us ensure more families can put food on their tables. We’re extremely grateful for this ongoing generosity.”

Kris Gibbon-Walsh, chief executive of Fareshare, said the campaign will make a huge difference to families this summer.

“The food we provide doesn’t just feed people; it offers a gateway to other services and activities that will help countless children play, have fun and make friends this summer.

“That’s why the donation bags in Tesco stores are vital. Any Tesco shoppers who can donate an item or two to FareShare will be making a significant difference to children and families this summer.”

Claire De Silva, head of communities at Tesco, added: “Our partners at FareShare and Trussell are seeing families and children needing extra support through the school holidays.

“Our pre-packed donation bags make it easy for customers to donate the most in-demand items to Trussell and FareShare.”

Learn more here about how your donation, no matter how small, can make a huge difference.

^{*Trussell report, 2025: The Cost of Hunger and Hardship}