An apple orchard in West Montrose, Ontario, is facing challenges with theft of their produce. Tim Shuh, the operator of Shuh Orchards near Kitchener, has implemented new guidelines for visitors during the apple-picking season. Due to a noticeable increase in theft, Shuh decided to prohibit strollers, backpacks, and wagons in the U-pick area of the farm after two busy weekends.
With a total of 7,500 customers visiting the orchard over the past 14 days, Shuh and his staff have witnessed instances of visitors attempting to steal apples. Some individuals were caught trying to leave without paying, including hiding fruit in strollers and loading bushels into their vehicles instead of using the farm’s bags. Shuh estimates that around 500 pounds of apples, valued at potentially $2,000, have been stolen in the past two weeks.
Similar challenges have been reported by other farms in the region, such as Good Family Farm Pumpkins. While theft is a concern, co-owner Byron Good is hesitant to enforce strict rules like Shuh Orchards, as it may affect the customer experience. Instead, Good plans to strategically plant valuable pumpkins further away from access points to deter theft.
Kevin Vallier, CEO of Agritourism Ontario, highlighted that theft is a growing issue for U-pick farms, leading to increased costs and potential impacts on customers. Some farms have had to invest in security measures or consider shutting down U-pick operations due to substantial losses. While balancing security and customer experience is crucial, the need to address theft remains a priority for farm operators like Shuh to maintain the connection between consumers and producers.
