Tesco Ireland has committed to doubling the reach of its Stronger Starts programme by the end of 2024. The announcement means hundreds more primary school children most in need and their families will receive free nutritious fresh fruit and veg to help with healthier meal solutions at home.

Stronger Starts is an innovative community support programme from Tesco that helps to build thriving communities nationwide. The programme provides parcels of food to 3,000 children and their families across Ireland and in May this year, Tesco reached the ambitious goal of delivering over one million meals,

By doubling the reach, Tesco aims to provide children in 240 DEIS primary schools who are most at risk of food insecurity with a food pack containing fresh apples, onions, potatoes, and carrots every week.

Natasha Adams, Tesco Ireland CEO, said: “It’s fantastic to see how well the programme has been received since it began in 2021, having provided over 1 million meals to date. We want to continue to make a positive change for children and their families in communities across Ireland who are at risk of food insecurity.”

Stronger Starts sits alongside Tesco’s other community supports, including the Tesco Community Fund, its long-term charity partnership with Children’s Health Foundation and work with FoodCloud and Olio to redistribute surplus food to those in need - all of which are helping to build thriving communities across Ireland. 

Tesco has been appointed one of Ireland’s Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) champions for 2023-2024 by Minister Eamon Ryan. As a grocery retailer, Tesco Ireland is particularly committed to ‘SDG2 Tackling Hunger’, aiming to drive awareness through its Stronger Starts programme.