Tesco Stores in Dorset Launch Summer Support Program for Families

Strategic Insights -

Tesco stores in Dorset are working to alleviate food insecurity among local families with children who normally receive free school meals. The initiative is part of the Stronger Starts program, which aims to provide essential nutrition during the summer holiday period. According to Trussell research, nearly a third of families in Dorset struggled to afford balanced meals for their children last summer, while Tesco's research revealed that one in 12 respondents had children who missed meals due to financial constraints. To address this issue, Tesco is selling pre-packed food donation bags in its large Dorset stores, with proceeds going to FareShare and Trussell to support local charities and food banks.

Key Takeaways:

  • Tesco's Stronger Starts program is designed to help families with children who normally receive free school meals during the summer holiday period.
  • According to Trussell research, nearly a third of families in Dorset struggled to afford balanced meals for their children last summer.
  • Tesco's research found that one in 12 respondents had children who missed meals due to financial constraints.
  • The program includes the sale of pre-packed food donation bags in all large Dorset stores, costing between £2 and £3.
  • Clare De Silva, head of communities at Tesco, emphasized the need to support families with limited resources during the holidays.
  • The program also includes the offer of a free kids' meal deal in-store cafes for customers throughout the school holidays.
  • Emma Revie, CEO at Trussell, highlighted the unacceptable levels of hardship faced by families in Dorset, with over one million parcels distributed by food banks last year.
  • Kris Gibbon-Walsh, CEO at FareShare, emphasized the importance of the donation bags in providing a gateway to other services and activities for local children.

Statistics:

  • 29.4% of families in Dorset nearly always or often struggled to afford balanced meals for their children last summer according to Trussell research (Trussell, no date).
  • One in 12 (8.3%) respondents had children who missed meals due to financial constraints, according to Tesco research.
  • Tesco will sell pre-packed food donation bags in all large Dorset stores from July 21 to August 30.
  • The pre-packed food donation bags will be filled with healthy, long-life food items and will cost between £2 and £3.
  • The proceeds from the donation bags will be split between FareShare and Trussell.
  • From August 25 to August 31, customers in Dorset can round up their bill at the checkout to the nearest pound, with proceeds going to FareShare and Trussell.
  • FareShare and Trussell distributed over one million parcels for children last year (Trussell, no date).

Sources:

  • Tesco, (no date)
  • Trussell, (no date)
  • FareShare, (no date)