SUPERMARKET giant Tesco is calling for more non-school groups to sign up to free food scheme in time for the summer holidays over fears of food going to waste outside of term time.

The initiative, which is part of Tesco’s Community Food Connection scheme, means that thousands of groups can enjoy free leftover food that would otherwise be heading to the bin.

Included in the offering is fruit and vegetables, bakery products, meat, cheese and ready meals.

Since the scheme began, Tesco has donated food for more than 20 million meals to roughly 7,000 groups up and down the country.

According to data from recycling charity WRAP UK, the estimated amount of household food waste in 2015 was 7.3 million tonnes.

It comes after Oxford foodie favourites, Yo! Sushi and Turl Street Kitchen joined waste-free food initiative phone app.

The restaurants signed up to leftovers app ‘Too Good To Go’ to combat the statistics by selling food that would otherwise be wasted for up to 75 per cent off retail price.

Groups registered with Tesco’s food scheme are given scheduled collection days and receive a text alert when the food is available, they are then able to choose food that they’d like from a selection.

Tesco stores across the nation are participating in the scheme which is run in partnership with leftover food distribution charities FareShare and FoodCloud.

Sign up at fareshare.org.uk/fareshare-go