Tesco Fruit and Veg Grants

Formerly known as 'Stronger Starts' and not to be confused with Tesco Fruit and Veg for Schools (a different programme aimed only at schools), applications for Tesco Fruit and Veg Grants are now open. Schools can apply for both.

The Fruit and Veg Grant has a focus on children’s and young people’s projects and is open to schools and PTAs, voluntary/community organisations, registered charities, health bodies, Parish/Town councils, social enterprises, Community Interest Companies (with restrictions), community councils, local authorities and housing organisations.  

All project applications must have a healthy food for kids focus.

The next deadline is October 15 2026

If you miss the deadline, applications will go in for the next round. Previous applicants can reapply once your current project and completion report is done.

Main grants page: https://www.tescoplc.com/fruit-and-veg-grants – for applicant to apply for Tesco Fruit & Veg Grants

The application process is very straight forward.  It's designed to be a bit easier than other grant application forms, so it takes less time to fill in. You can apply even if you have previously applied or been awarded the grant, but please be aware if you have recently applied for Stronger Starts funding that the current project does need to be closed, with your completion report submitted, before you can submit a new application.

Tesco Fruit and Veg Grants in London are distributed by Tesco and managed by Groundwork UK.  They are the blue tokens that shoppers can use to vote for the 'favourite' project.  There are 3 projects in the stores, all of which will receive funding, the one with most votes will receive £1500.00 and the remaining two, £1000.00 and £500 respectively.

Please remember all projects MUST have a focus on healthy food. This could be healthy snacks (like a Breakfast club), introducing kids to healthy eating through activities (e.g. fruit during playing sports), growing food (e.g. applying for seeds etc) or food / nutritional education.

It cannot be simply bolting healthy food onto any project; there needs to be a context that fits the inclusion of food, and the healthy food must be the priority.

From time to time some regions fall short of the minimum requirement of 3 applications so need an extra push to make sure there are projects in every Tesco store.   This does mean organisations applying in these regions will have less competition and more likely to be selected for stores and receive funding.

At the moment a particular region short on healthy food themed applications (aimed at children and young people projects) is Kensington and Chelsea

*This can mean you have a higher than usual chance of getting into stores and receiving funding as there will be less competition.

Here is the list of Tesco stores in Westminster where projects will be displayed -