If you’re trying to save money on groceries or reduce food waste, Tesco’s £0 yellow sticker scheme might be just what you need. I recently discovered this clever initiative, and yes – you can genuinely walk out of Tesco Express with free food.
Tesco is trialling this offer in selected Express stores, where you can pick up items nearing their expiry for £0, simply by showing up after 9:30 PM. It’s a smart way to cut costs and reduce perfectly good food from going to waste.
Key Takeaways:
- Visit participating Tesco Express stores after 9:30 PM
- Look for items marked with £0 yellow stickers
- These items are completely free at self-checkout
- Availability depends on leftover stock and store participation
- It’s part of Tesco’s plan to cut food waste and help communities
What Is Tesco’s £0 Yellow Sticker Scheme?
Tesco’s £0 yellow sticker scheme is a food waste reduction trial launched in selected Tesco Express stores across the UK. Unlike traditional yellow stickers offering discounted prices, this version goes a step further, you pay nothing.
After 9:30 PM, unsold, reduced-to-clear items are relabelled with £0 yellow stickers, making them completely free. This scheme isn’t available in all Tesco locations and is limited to chosen Express branches.
The aim is to prevent edible food from going to waste. Before reaching customers, these items are offered to charities and Tesco staff. Whatever is left is then made available to shoppers later in the evening.
A Tesco spokesperson confirmed, “This trial will allow customers to take any remaining yellow-stickered items for free at the end of the day, after they have first been offered to charities and colleagues.”
The initiative supports Tesco’s commitment to halve food waste and meet its net-zero goals, potentially becoming a permanent, nationwide programme.
Why Is Tesco Giving Away Free Food?
Tesco is offering free food through its £0 yellow sticker scheme as part of a broader mission to reduce food waste and meet its environmental goals.
As the UK’s largest supermarket chain, Tesco has made a public commitment to cut its food waste by 50%, supporting its overall drive to reach net-zero emissions by 2035. Rather than throwing away unsold items nearing their expiry, Tesco is redistributing them through a more impactful and inclusive method.
This initiative follows years of Tesco donating surplus food to charities and food banks, a practice it still continues today. However, the new approach gives a final opportunity for products to be consumed before they go to waste. In the trial stores, the food is offered to charities and store staff first.
Whatever remains on the shelves by 9:30 PM is then made available to the public, for free. By doing this, Tesco is not only preventing edible food from going to landfill but also addressing real issues like food insecurity in the UK.
According to the Department for Work and Pensions, more than seven million people in the UK were living in food-insecure households during 2022–2023. Making food available at no cost offers direct relief to families who may be struggling, especially during the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.
This trial doesn’t just help individuals, it’s a statement about corporate responsibility. Tesco is showing that major retailers can lead on sustainability, not just talk about it. The scheme is also seen as a potential way to inspire other supermarkets to adopt similar zero-cost food initiatives in the future.
When and Where Can You Find Tesco Free Food with Yellow Stickers?
The £0 yellow sticker food is only available at selected Tesco Express stores as part of the current trial. If you want to take advantage of this scheme, the most important factor is timing.
Tesco applies these special stickers to eligible items after 9:30 PM, and they remain available until the store closes or until someone else grabs them first.
Here’s how you can check and access it:
- Timeframe: Arrive at the store just after 9:30 PM, when remaining reduced-to-clear items become free.
- Store type: Only a limited number of Tesco Express stores are participating in the scheme.
- No prior announcement: Tesco has not published a list of trial locations, so you need to check in person at your local Express branch.
- Product availability: It depends entirely on how much unsold food is left after donations to charities and access for staff.
Some shoppers have reported their local stores offering these freebies even earlier, as early as 8:30 PM, so it might be worth observing patterns in your area. If you’re unsure, visit a Tesco Express near you in the evening and look out for items marked with yellow stickers priced at £0.
You won’t find this in regular Tesco Superstores or Tesco Extras. This is strictly a trial initiative for Express outlets. Tesco has not confirmed whether or when it will roll out the scheme to more locations.
The key is to arrive late, stay alert, and check self-checkout scanners, the items should ring up as free. Consistency and timing will help you make the most of this opportunity.
How Does the Tesco Yellow Sticker Free Food Process Work?
Getting free food through Tesco’s £0 yellow sticker scheme is easier than you might think. The process is simple, but you need to know exactly how and when to take action.
If you walk into a participating Tesco Express store at the right time, you might walk out with a meal, completely free of charge. Tesco reduces the price of perishable items as they approach their sell-by date.
If those items are not claimed by charities or staff earlier in the day, and if they remain unsold by 9:30 PM, Tesco relabels them with £0 yellow stickers. These items are then placed back on the shelves, clearly marked and easy to spot.
Here’s how to claim them:
- Visit after 9:30 PM: Only after this time do the £0 stickers appear.
- Look for yellow £0 stickers: These will be visibly applied to near-expiry food items.
- Head to the self-checkout tills: Scan the items as usual.
- Watch the price drop to £0: No Clubcard or coupon is required.
- Walk out with free food: It’s that straightforward.
While some customers worry about scanning issues or price glitches, shoppers have confirmed that items with these specific stickers ring up correctly as free at self-service tills. It’s a smooth, honest system that doesn’t involve any awkward conversations or price overrides.
Notably, staff members often help shoppers understand which items are part of the scheme. In some cases, store workers even encourage customers to take these products home, especially if there’s a large volume left on shelves nearing closing time.
Although it’s a trial and availability isn’t guaranteed, this process offers a real chance to cut food costs while helping reduce waste.
What Kind of Free Food Can You Get at Tesco?
The types of food included in Tesco’s £0 yellow sticker trial vary by store and day, but generally, they cover a wide range of ready-to-eat or perishable items. These are usually products that have reached the end of their shelf life but are still perfectly good to consume.
Many shoppers have reported finding items they would otherwise have paid full price for, now going completely free. From baked goods to full meals, the selection can surprise you.
Here are some of the most commonly found items in participating stores:
| Food Category | Examples Found During Trial |
|---|---|
| Sandwiches & Wraps | Chicken Caesar wraps, egg mayo sandwiches |
| Bakery Items | Muffins, croissants, pastries, rolls |
| Prepared Meals | Fresh pizzas, pasta pots, meal deals |
| Deli & Chilled Foods | Sausage rolls, salads, dips |
| Snacks & Sides | Fruit pots, snack boxes, sushi packs |
The food quality is still intact, and many customers have shared photos on social media of full meals, like sandwiches with sides and drinks, that they picked up for free. One Reddit user shared they picked up “three pizzas, two sandwiches, and blueberry muffins” and mentioned there was still plenty left for others.
It’s important to remember that while these items are free, they are close to their expiration. You should consume them promptly or store them appropriately to avoid spoilage.
Every evening is different, and some nights may have more variety than others. But if you shop at the right time, your dinner could literally cost you nothing.
Tips to Maximise Your Chances of Getting Free Food at Tesco
While the idea of walking into Tesco Express and leaving with free food sounds simple, you’ll need a bit of strategy to make it work consistently.
Since the scheme is still in trial stages and only active in selected Express stores, maximising your success requires good timing, observation, and etiquette.
Here’s how you can boost your chances of scoring yellow sticker bargains for £0:
- Arrive just after 9:30 PM: This is when remaining reduced items are relabelled with £0 stickers.
- Choose quieter locations: Busier stores might run out of items faster, so try visiting less crowded Express branches.
- Visit midweek: Some shoppers report better success on weekdays, especially Tuesday to Thursday, when there’s often more unsold stock.
- Talk to staff: Being polite and asking staff when the items are marked down can give you useful insider info.
- Check near chillers and bakery sections: These are hotspots for yellow sticker placements.
- Don’t hoard: Take only what you need. Tesco staff and fellow shoppers appreciate fairness.
Some shoppers have said they started seeing £0 stickers as early as 8:45 PM. So, it’s worth being observant and flexible with timing. Repeat visits may help you understand your local store’s pattern.
Also, building a good rapport with the staff can be helpful, some employees are open about when the reductions are made and may even tip you off if it’s a good night for free food. Consistency, good manners, and timing are your three best tools. Keep at it, and you’ll likely start seeing great results within a few visits.
How Do Tesco’s Yellow Stickers Help the UK’s Food Waste Crisis?
Tesco’s £0 yellow sticker scheme goes beyond saving shoppers money, it addresses the UK’s growing food waste crisis. Despite ongoing donations to charities, supermarkets still discard tonnes of edible food each year. This trial gives unsold items one final chance by offering them for free to the public instead of sending them to the landfill.
Tesco aims to halve its food waste by 2035 as part of its net-zero goals. Unlike other supermarkets that offer discounts or donations, Tesco is the first to make surplus food directly available to customers at no cost and on this scale.
With over seven million people in food-insecure households and rising living costs, this initiative provides direct relief while easing pressure on food banks. It also builds public trust, showing Tesco’s commitment to meaningful change. If successful, the scheme could inspire similar efforts across the industry.
What Are People Saying About the £0 Tesco Yellow Stickers?
Since the scheme launched, shoppers across the UK have been reacting strongly to Tesco’s £0 yellow sticker initiative, and opinions are wide-ranging.
On social media platforms like Facebook, Reddit, and in local news reports, some customers have praised the scheme for its social impact, while others have raised concerns about fairness and availability.
Many users are pleasantly surprised when they discover the scheme for the first time. A Reddit user shared their experience of walking into Tesco Express around 9:55 PM and leaving with three pizzas, two sandwiches, and blueberry muffins, all for free.
Another mentioned how staff informed them of the offer without prompting, describing the experience as “mind-blowing.”
Positive sentiments include:
- “This will be handy for the homeless or anyone really struggling.”
- “Reduces so much food waste.”
- “Great idea.”
However, not everyone agrees. Some concerns expressed include:
- “Some people might just take everything because it’s free.”
- “This won’t work. People will fight over it.”
- “I hope the ones who really need it get it first.”
Still, the scheme has gained traction for its potential to help those in need without the barrier of paperwork or eligibility checks. It’s a model of self-service assistance that relies on community respect.
The reaction is a blend of appreciation, surprise, and concern, but the consensus is clear: if managed fairly and scaled responsibly, this could be one of Tesco’s most impactful initiatives yet.
Can You Find Similar Free or Discounted Food Elsewhere?
Tesco is currently the only major UK supermarket trialling direct-to-customer free food through its £0 yellow sticker scheme. While other retailers focus on discounts, Tesco’s approach stands out by eliminating cost entirely.
Apps like Olio offer yellow sticker deals from stores such as Co-op, Spar, and Morrisons, while Aldi provides steep end-of-day discounts. Sainsbury’s and Asda reduce perishable prices, and Morrisons partners with Too Good To Go for low-cost food boxes.
These alternatives help reduce waste and cut costs, but none match Tesco’s no-strings-attached model. If successful, it could inspire similar initiatives across the industry.
Should You Try to Get Tesco Free Food with Yellow Stickers?
If you’re someone looking to cut costs, reduce waste or just explore new ways of making your grocery shopping go further, then yes, trying Tesco’s £0 yellow sticker scheme is absolutely worth it.
As someone who has seen it in action and followed countless customer stories, it’s a practical solution during a time when so many are feeling financial pressure.
The scheme is simple, respectful, and rooted in Tesco’s wider sustainability efforts. You don’t need a Clubcard, an app, or a specific income level to qualify, just a willingness to visit a participating Tesco Express store after 9:30 PM. The only “cost” is your time and the courtesy to leave enough for others.
Not every visit will result in a haul, and it’s true that availability is inconsistent. But if you’re consistent, kind, and alert to patterns in your local store, this could become a helpful habit. It’s also a powerful way to support a business that’s taking genuine steps to reduce food waste.
In a time when millions are dealing with rising bills and stretched budgets, this initiative offers a smart, community-minded alternative to waste, and it’s available right in your neighbourhood.
Tesco Yellow Sticker Free Food Availability
Understanding where and how the scheme works can be tricky, especially since Tesco has not published an official list of participating stores. Here’s a quick reference table based on all verified details available from the trial.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Store Type | Tesco Express only |
| Time for £0 Stickers | From 9:30 PM until store closing |
| Availability | Depends on unsold stock, location and day |
| Who Gets It First | Charities → Staff → Shoppers |
| How to Claim | Find yellow sticker marked “£0”, scan at self-checkout |
| No Special Requirements | No Clubcard, vouchers, or staff assistance needed |
| Common Items Found | Sandwiches, pizzas, muffins, wraps, fresh meals |
| Trial Status | Ongoing trial in select locations, no full rollout confirmed yet |
Tesco has yet to confirm how long the trial will run or whether it will expand nationally. Until then, the only way to know if your local Express store is participating is to go in after 9:30 PM and check.
It’s also worth noting that some stores may offer earlier access, based on reports from shoppers seeing freebies from 8:30 PM in rare cases. But 9:30 PM remains the official starting time.
If you’re unsure whether your local branch is involved, simply ask a staff member, many have been helpful and forthcoming with details about the scheme.
Conclusion
Tesco’s £0 yellow sticker initiative is more than just a money-saving hack, it’s a socially driven, environmentally conscious move that addresses food waste while helping everyday shoppers.
The scheme is thoughtfully structured, offering food first to charities and staff before giving the public a chance to take home items for free.
Whether you’re managing a tight grocery budget, care about reducing landfill, or just love a good bargain, this trial scheme shows real promise. It’s one of the most direct, inclusive methods we’ve seen from a UK supermarket to redistribute surplus food, and it’s completely free.
FAQs
Is the Tesco £0 yellow sticker scheme available in all stores?
No, the scheme is currently only running in selected Tesco Express stores as part of a limited trial.
Do I need a Tesco Clubcard to get free food?
No, a Clubcard is not required. Just scan the items at self-checkout and they’ll register as free.
Can I get any type of food for free?
Only selected near-expiry items marked with £0 yellow stickers are free. Most include sandwiches, baked goods, or ready meals.
What time do the £0 yellow stickers appear?
They are applied to eligible items after 9:30 PM, based on what’s left unsold.
How do I know if my Tesco Express is part of the trial?
Tesco hasn’t published a store list. You’ll need to check by visiting your local Express store after 9:30 PM.
Will staff help me find the free food items?
In many cases, staff are helpful and may guide you. However, the scheme is self-serve through clear shelf stickers.
Can I take as much as I want?
There’s no formal limit, but Tesco encourages customers to be fair and considerate, so that others can also benefit.
