Stores will offer free fruit to kids

The Tesco stores in Rutherglen and Burnside are set to offer free fruit to children while their parents are shopping.

Both stores are participating in a nationwide scheme being launched in over 800 Tesco shops across the UK

The initiative is aimed at creating healthy eating habits among kids that will stay with them as they grow up, and to make it easier for children to get the fruit and vegetables they need.

The government recommends that children – like adults – eat at least five portions of fruit and vegetables every day.

But research has shown that only 10 per cent of boys and seven per cent of girls between the ages of 11 and 18 meet the five-a-day recommendation.

The move was the brainchild of a Tesco checkout worker and was initially trialled in Scotland with great success.

Matt Davies, Tesco CEO for UK and ROI said: “We’re Britain’s biggest greengrocer, so we want to make it easier for parents to get their children eating more healthily.

“As a dad, I know it can be tricky getting children to eat their fruit and vegetables, so we’re hoping this initiative will help create healthy eating habits that will stay with children as they grow up.”