Welsh strawberry growers have featured in the national media after comparing pick-your-own (PYO) customers who increasingly consume fruit in the field to shoplifters.
According to newspaper reports, the Vale Pick Your Own farm in Bonvilston, South Wales says that the ‘concerning trend’ of people eating the fruit is having ‘a significant impact’ on their business. In a social media post, the small family run farm compared eating strawberries before getting to the till to “taking products without paying in a shop.”
They have warned that customers spotted eating fruit in the fields will be expelled from the farming, adding, “We understand that it might seem harmless, but consuming strawberries before purchasing is equivalent to taking products without paying in a shop or eating without paying in a café. To ensure fairness for everyone, please refrain from eating strawberries in the field. Kindly fill your punnets first and then pay for your pick.”
The farm also said on social media, “Unfortunately, this is significantly impacting our small family business, especially during our busier time. We’ve planted enough strawberries to ensure we can stay open six days a week, but unfortunately, we are finding that our fruit is being eaten in the fields. We are running out and then having to close.”
Another Welsh grower, Bryan Clatworthy from Berry Hill Farm in Newport, told reporters that he stopped offering PYO six years ago due to the loss of fruit in the field. “It is always a problem – particularly strawberries and raspberries,” he said. “They’re easy to eat – same with plums. Some people are ‘greedy’. They end up going out and they’ll have a belly full of fruit and end up not paying a penny.”
However, not everyone agreed. Barbara Hughes from Magical Malpas PYO Farm in Cheshire told BBC News that they expected some fruit to be consumed in the field. “I think it’s part of the deal. You’ve just got to put up with it. There’s nothing much you can do,” she said. “You could have huge evidence that would go in a court of law – their t-shirts would be bright red and their whole face, but you just have to say, ‘Oooh, you’ve been eating them, I bet your tummy’s full!’ But it’s something you can’t stop, to be honest.”
Some people responded to Vale Pick Your Own’s comments online. ‘Nothing wrong with a bit of sampling as long as you pay of course,’ said one. Another added, ‘Everyone has a little nibble when they pick their own. It’s a tradition!’
