A pick-your-own fruit business has called customers who nibble at strawberries before paying ‘shoplifters’ branding it a ‘concerning trend’.
The Vale Pick Your Own farm in Bonvilston, South Wales has found itself in a jam, alleging that 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 as equal to ‘taking products without paying in a shop’.
They have now warned customers will be kicked out if they are spotted taking a quick bite out of fruit on their fields.
Their statement read: ‘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.
The Vale Pick Your Own farm in Bonvilston has called customers who nibble at strawberries before paying ‘shoplifters’ (stock image)
‘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 strawberry farm also claimed that what some may believe is a ‘harmless bite’ has been impacting their ability to stay open six days a week.
Pick-your-own farms have become increasingly popular over the last few years according to ITV.
The business model allows visitors to have free reign in the farm or field to pick their own fruit, flowers or vegetables, which they pay for afterwards.
But many strawberry pickers have hit out at the business, quipping that it ‘a tradition’ to have a little nibble as they stroll across the fields.
Grandad Peter Leyshon, of Pontypridd said: ‘Absolutely ridiculous that you can’t take your kids to a pick-your-own strawberry farm without them getting accused of shoplifting for eating a few.
‘Surely that is the whole fun of it. We shouldn’t be branding children criminals just for doing what comes naturally, ‘
Another man on social media said: ‘Gonna be watching that fruit rot in the fields when people stay away.’
One woman agreed, saying: ‘It’s part of the fun having a strawberry on the way around. I get their angle, but I think you have to expect it to a degree with things like this and the high price of the punnet surely reflects this.’
The family run farm has found itself in a jam as they claim the ‘concerning trend’ is having ‘a significant impact’ on their business
‘Nothing wrong with a bit of sampling as long as you pay of course,’ one quipped
Another said: ‘Everyone has a little nibble when they pick their own. It’s a tradition!’
However some customers backed the farm over its firm stance with one saying: ‘It’s very sad some people seem to think they’re entitled to free strawberries.
‘I’d love to think the majority of folk we’re brought up better than that and are welcome.’
The pick-your-own farm offers strawberry, raspberry and flower experiences during the summer months and pumpkin picking in October.
MailOnline approached Vale Pick Your Own for comment.
