A woman who had read about a new 'code' you can use at Tesco in a scheme designed to tackle period poverty has found the scheme doesn't actually work. A number of places have reported in recent days how you can ask for a 'white envelope' at Tesco and will be discretely handed period products free of charge.
One woman decided to put that to the test, and found it isn't quite that simple. Tesco tweeted that the scheme was running around the country with signs that read: "To combat period poverty, Tesco want to ensure everyone has access to sanitary products. If you are in need, please go to the customer service desk and ask for a white envelope. No questions will be asked."
The scheme received widespread praise, but Tesco has since clarified that you can only get white envelopes in certain stores.
Megan Shaw, writing for YorkshireLive, said: "I didn't know this at the time and went to my local Tesco superstore to ask the customer service desk for a 'white envelope'. However, when I asked for one, I didn't get the response I was hoping for as a staff member replied: "Sorry we don't sell envelopes." I then asked if she knew what I meant, to which she responded: "White envelopes? We don't sell them, maybe try the post office?"
"Saddened by her response, I proceeded to show her an article about the new initiative on my phone to which she replied: "Sorry I've never heard of it, do you want me to call for a manager?
"I stood waiting for around 15 minutes as the staff member in question called for the store manager over the tannoy three times, to no avail. Eventually, I told the staff member not to worry and I would try again another day to which she apologised and told me she thought they were in a meeting.
"I left the store feeling embarrassed, but mostly sad that if a young girl, or a woman in need of any age for that matter, had read about the scheme either online or on a poster in store and built up the courage to ask for help, they could be met with such a disheartening response.
"If I was a customer in need struggling with period poverty due to the cost of living crisis, the exchange I'd had would have made me feel not only extremely uncomfortable, but also it would have stopped me from ever trying to access the help again. I was really saddened and disappointed by what happened."
A Tesco spokesperson said: "We’re really sorry for any confusion caused by the White Envelope initiative. This was a small-scale trial we ran in a handful of stores to help people in their local community. Now the trial has ended, we’ll use what we've learned to help us serve our customers better.
“We know the cost of period products is a real struggle for many and continue to work with our suppliers to make sure they are affordable for all."
It is thought some stores may have launched the scheme under a different name. In September 2022, another poster at an unidentified Tesco branch promoting the 'Ask for Beth' scheme was shared on Twitter. It read: “If you are in need of sanitary products, please go to our customer service desk and ask for a bag Beth has left for you. You will be given a free package with everything you need."
It follows a similar initiative launched by Morrison in 2021. The scheme, which began in Bolton but was later implemented nationwide, gives two single sanitary towels in a brown paper bag to those who ask the Morrisons' customer service desk for a "package for Sandy".
