Tesco announce wholesome Pick ‘n’ Mix pop-up stall – and it is free

Pick ‘n’ Mix is a nostalgic sweet treat for many of us Brits and now Tesco have announced a healthy version

Tesco are marking the expansion of their free fruit and veg initiative by tempting nostalgic Brits to eat from a giant Pick ‘n’ Mix stall – but it’s all healthy.

The supermarket say their Free Fruit and Veg for Schools programme has reached 1,000 schools.

To celebrate Tesco have recreated childhood-favourite treat Pick ‘n’ Mix with large blue and white structure to mimic a classic bag.

The eye-catching stall will allow passersby to take their pick from a vibrant selection, including apples, oranges, peppers and avocados, for free.

The Fruity Pick ‘n’ Mix pop-up landed at Queen’s Walk on London’s Southbank yesterday (September 16) but will reappear across five UK stores from September 25-29.

Tesco’s stunt comes as their study found more than three quarters (76%) of parents of under-18s said they’d like their children to eat more fruit and veg.

However the research also suggests adults are nostalgic for more unhealthy childhood treats such as sprinkle cake (25%) and cake and custard for pudding in the lunch hall (27%).

But 70% of parents say fruit and veg are the snacks they most want their children to eat at school, suggesting they’d prefer them to feel nostalgic over more healthy treats than they are.

Tesco says that ensuring kids have access to healthy options at school could help make a healthy diet part of everyday life.

Tesco’s Free Fruit & Veg programme, which launched in 2024, provides funding to schools with higher-than-average proportions of children eligible for free school meals.

The partnership with the British Nutrition Foundation has provided almost 20 million free portions of fruit and veg to schoolchildren across the UK.

Children at participating schools enjoy familiar favourites to less everyday produce, including blueberries, watermelon and asparagus.

Their research charted the primary school moments that Brits remember most fondly, with the winner being TV being wheeled into the classroom (31%).

In second and third is having cake and custard for pudding in the lunch hall (27%) and the last ten minutes of a Friday afternoon before the bell rang (27%).

More than a quarter (27%) of over-55s fondly remember playing conkers at school, compared with just 11% of 18–24-year-olds.

For this younger generation, earning their pen licence tops the list of favourite primary school memories (29%).

Unsurprisingly, childhood perks a third (33%) of the nation would gladly carry into adulthood include finishing work at 3:30pm, playing with friends every day and not having to pay household bills.

Claire de Silva, Head of Communities at Tesco, said: “For many children a piece of fruit or veg at school can be more than just a snack.

“It can be an opportunity to try something new while providing important nutrients to support them as they learn and play.

“With 1,000 schools now taking part in the Tesco Free Fruit & Veg for Schools programme, we’re looking forward to bringing these benefits to even more children and families.

“Particularly in communities where there can be more barriers to accessing fresh produce.

“Our Fruity Pick ’n’ Mix celebrates this milestone and encourages everyone to rediscover the joy of choosing their favourite fruit and veg.”

Top 10 primary school memories:

1. When the TV got wheeled into the classroom (31%)
2. Cake and custard for pudding in the lunch hall (27%)
3. The last 10 minutes of a Friday afternoon before the bell rings (27%)
4. Getting a new pencil case for the start of the year (23%)
5. Playing conkers in the playground (21%)
6. Your favourite race at sports day (19%)
7. Getting your art put up in the corridor (19%)
8. Getting to sit on the bench rather than the floor in assembly (18%)
9. Getting a sticker or star from a teacher (17%)
10. Being chosen to take a note to another teacher (17%)