Tesco offers free fruit pop‑up on Southbank on 16 September
The giant Pick ‘n’ Mix stand will serve free fruit and veg from 8:30 am to 6 pm at Queen’s Walk, marking the Free Fruit & Veg for Schools programme’s reach of 1,000 schools
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Tesco will run a free Fruity Pick ‘n’ Mix pop‑up on London’s Southbank on 16 September 2026, operating from 8:30 am until 6 pm at Queen’s Walk. The blue and white structure, shaped like a classic pick‑n‑mix bag, will allow anyone walking past to select fruit or vegetables at no cost. The event is part of Tesco’s Free Fruit & Veg for Schools programme, which the retailer says has supplied almost 20 million free portions to schoolchildren and now reaches 1,000 schools.
Background to the free fruit scheme
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The Free Fruit & Veg for Schools programme launched in October 2024 and provides funding to schools with higher‑than‑average numbers of pupils on free school meals, in partnership with the British Nutrition Foundation. As reported by the Ealing Times, the scheme has delivered close to 20 million free portions of fruit and veg across the United Kingdom. Tesco describes the Southbank pop‑up as a celebration of the programme’s milestone expansion.
What visitors can expect
Passers‑by will be able to choose from apples, oranges, peppers, avocados and other seasonal produce. The stand does not require registration or payment; visitors simply take what they like and walk away. After the Southbank day, the same Fruity Pick ‘n’ Mix will travel to five Tesco stores across the UK between 25 and 29 September, giving shoppers in other regions a similar free‑fruit experience.
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For many children, a piece of fruit or veg at school can be more than just a snack, it can be a chance to try something new, while providing important nutrients to support them as they learn and play.
Claire de Silva, Head of Communities at Tesco
Tesco’s internal research, also cited by the Ealing Times, found that 31 % of Britons recall the TV being wheeled into the classroom as their top primary‑school memory. The retailer uses that nostalgia to promote healthier eating habits, noting that 70 % of parents say fruit and veg should be the main snack for their children at school.
The pop‑up does not involve ticketing or crowd control measures beyond normal public‑space safety. Residents and visitors who wish to take part simply need to arrive at Queen’s Walk during the advertised hours. No further action is required from the public.
Questions this report answers
+When and where is the Tesco fruit pop‑up taking place?
The Fruity Pick ‘n’ Mix pop‑up will be on Queen’s Walk at London’s Southbank on 16 September 2026, open from 8:30 am until 6 pm. No appointment is needed; anyone can walk up during those hours.
+What can visitors take from the pop‑up?
Visitors can select from a range of fresh fruit and vegetables, including apples, oranges, peppers and avocados, at no charge. The stand is designed for free self‑service, so people simply pick what they like.
+How many schools does the Free Fruit & Veg for Schools programme now cover?
The programme, launched in October 2024, now reaches 1,000 schools across the United Kingdom. It has supplied almost 20 million free portions of fruit and veg to pupils in those schools.
+What did Tesco’s research reveal about primary‑school memories?
Tesco’s internal research reported that 31 % of Britons remember the TV being wheeled into the classroom as their top primary‑school memory. The finding is used to frame the pop‑up as a nostalgic way to promote healthier eating.
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