Tesco is re-launching its Kids Eat Free scheme to its 317 cafes across the UK over the May half term.
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The supermarket’s cafes will be offering one free Kids Hot Meal Deal, Kids Breakfast or Kids Pick ‘n’ Mix deal with each item bought by an adult from as little as 60p when showing their Tesco Clubcard or Clubcard App at the till.
Previously, popular menu items include beans or avocado on toast, fish fingers, baked chicken goujons or a sandwich.
Hot main meals include a vegetable side dish, and the sandwich pick ‘n’ mix includes a piece of fresh fruit and two snacks, so there’s something healthy and satisfying to feed hungry children from breakfast until dinner.
Claire De Silva, Tesco head of communities, said: “We know that some parents worry about the extra expense that school holidays can bring.
“Offering free meals is one of the ways we can support families during this time and help give children a stronger start.”
In 2023, Tesco provided more than 440,000 free meals to children and families during school holidays.
Last year, Tesco also launched Stronger Starts: a £5million grant programme, in partnership with Groundwork UK, to give children across the UK a stronger start in life.
The grants help schools and children’s groups provide nutritious food and healthy activities that support young people’s physical health and mental wellbeing, such as breakfast clubs or snacks, and equipment for healthy activities.
Customers can support their local school and children’s groups by dropping the Tesco blue token they receive at checkout into the relevant voting box as they leave the store.
To help with the cost of half-term, customers can also exchange their Clubcard vouchers with Tesco Reward Partners, including family favourites such as Pizza Express and Cineworld.
How else can parents get help?
Parents or guardians who are struggling to make ends meet can claim up to £225 in supermarket vouchers to help with food costs.
The support is provided through the Household Support Fund (HSF) scheme, which has been extended until September 2024.
Each council gets a different portion of funding depending on the size of the catchment area, population, and need.
Households could get supermarket vouchers or cash grants worth up to £500, depending on what their council is offering.
Some councils will make payouts automatically and others will require you to fill in an application form.
You’ll usually need to be on a low income to receive the help.
The support provided varies from council to council, so it’s worth checking the schemes your local council has in place to make sure you receive all the assistance available.
How to save on your supermarket shop
THERE are plenty of ways to save on your grocery shop.
You can look out for yellow or red stickers on products, which show when they’ve been reduced.
If the food is fresh, you’ll have to eat it quickly or freeze it for another time.
Making a list should also save you money, as you’ll be less likely to make any rash purchases when you get to the supermarket.
Going own brand can be one easy way to save hundreds of pounds a year on your food bills too.
This means ditching “finest” or “luxury” products and instead going for “own” or value” type of lines.
Plenty of supermarkets run wonky veg and fruit schemes where you can get cheap prices if they’re misshapen or imperfect.
For example, Lidl runs its Waste Not scheme, offering boxes of 5kg of fruit and vegetables for just £1.50.
If you’re on a low income and a parent, you may be able to get up to £442 a year in Healthy Start vouchers to use at the supermarket too.
Plus, many councils offer supermarket vouchers as part of the Household Support Fund.
You can find what council area you fall under by using the Government’s council locator tool on its website.
You don’t need to worry about additional support impacting existing benefits, as these will be unaffected by payments from the HSF.
And, you do not need necessarily need to be in receipt of benefits to receive vouchers or funds from the HSF.
Check with your local council to find out what support is available and the eligibility criteria.
Information on how to apply for the funding should be published on your council’s website. Each council will have a different application process.
Many councils won’t actually require you to apply for the help and will contact you about it, or issue vouchers via email or your child’s school.
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