Tesco Ireland recently announced that its 'Stronger Starts' programme has provided one million free, healthy and nutritious packs to primary school children and families since the community support initiative began in late 2021.
Tesco noted that 'Stronger Starts' began as a pilot programme in partnership with The Good Grub Initiative in November 2021, providing 1,000 food parcels per week to children across 40 DEIS schools.
The number of weekly packs containing fruit and vegetables has since tripled to 3,000 across 117 DEIS schools, its added.
Tesco highlighted that the demand encouraged the retailer to 'set the ambitious goal of delivering one million meals by May 2023'.
Speaking about the initiative, Rosemary Garth, communications director, Tesco Ireland, said, “Children need to be fed to enable concentration at school, and from speaking to school principals and home school liaison officers, we know the difference Stronger Starts is making in support of that, and for children’s health, more broadly.
"With Stronger Starts, our aim is to help make a positive change within our communities, and we’re looking forward to continuing to do that long past this fantastic one million mark.”
Local Suppliers Support
The programme is supported by long-standing local suppliers Country Crest, Keelings and Dole.
Aisling Cox, principal of Virgin Mary Boys National School in Dublin, added, “I have seen first-hand the impact that the 'Stronger Starts' programme has made on the lives of students. Combined with the healthy lunches provided in school, having fresh ingredients delivered each week to take home means they have access to the nutrition they need to reach their full potential and thrive both in and out of school.
"We have seen such a huge difference in our pupils’ attitudes towards healthy eating, especially since the programme started in 2021. It's heart-warming to see them showing up ready to learn.”
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