A primary school in Tyne and Wear has introduced a fruit-only tuck shop run by its Key Stage 2 pupils as part of a wider initiative to promote healthy eating. Dunn Street Primary School in Jarrow invites students to take part in serving and replenishing fresh fruit snacks during break times, creating a social environment for children to enjoy nutritious options while interacting with classmates.

The school’s headteacher, Michelle Trotter, explained that the concept originated following a local Tesco store’s assembly about retail skills, which inspired pupils to establish their own fruit shop on-site. “They run it and replenish it before every break time, and then the children queue up,” Trotter said. She highlighted the developmental benefits of the initiative, noting how it encourages communication and collaboration among students.

In addition to the tuck shop, Dunn Street Primary incorporates vegetables into breakfast clubs, soup-making activities, and salad bars, ensuring that no produce goes to waste. Surplus fruit and vegetable peelings are sent home or composted for the school’s allotment. The school also hosts a weekly “fruity smoothie Friday” using a smoothie maker provided by Tesco, a feature that has proven popular among pupils.

This scheme is part of Tesco and the British Nutrition Foundation’s effort to encourage healthier food choices in schools, targeting institutions selected based on social and economic factors. Dunn Street’s staff have committed significant time and effort over the past two years to integrate nutrition-focused programs into the curriculum. Trotter praised her colleagues for their dedication, noting that teachers often work beyond regular hours to support the scheme’s success.

Currently, Tesco’s Free Fruit and Veg for Schools program supports more than 180,000 children across 500 schools, providing over 15 million portions of fruit and vegetables. The program is set to expand to 1,000 schools by September 2026. To mark National Thank a Teacher Day, Tesco has partnered with The Teaching Awards Trust, The Sun, and Groundwork UK to offer £1,000 grants to schools for purchasing fruit and vegetables. Members of the public are encouraged to nominate teachers for the grants by submitting messages of appreciation online.