A farm shop has so many tomatoes the owner joked they'll be protecting their stock from thieves with armed security amidst veg shortages. The humorous warning comes as shops across the UK are displaying empty shelves as supplies of fruit and veg dry up.
Craig Condon, owner of Brambledown Farm Shop near Kent, on the Isle of Sheppey, has had no issues with getting fresh veg. The shop is packed with so many tomatoes, cucumbers and lettuce that Craig issued a tongue-in-cheek security warning on social media.
He posted a photo of a gun-toting farmer leaning on a wooden gate with the caption: "If you are visiting the farm shop today, don’t be alarmed at the new security officer patrolling the tomatoes." He added: "No shortages here at Brambledown, I can promise you that, from my head to-ma-toes."
In response to the post, one local said: "Be a very sad day when you have to do that." Another joked: "He is not that good, I got in out no problem."
A third laughed: "So it’s you going round the shops buying them all!" Pictures on the post show boxes bursting with tomatoes, lettuce, cucumbers and peppers at the shop.
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The display is a far cry from shop displays seen completely bare in mainland England due to the shortages. Craig has kept his shelves stocked, unlike many supermarkets, because of early morning trips to Spitalfields Market in London.
Manager Alex Dent said: "We pay a fair price, unlike the supermarkets who dictate to the growers what they will pay. We may pay a little bit more but it means we get the stock."
Sales assistant Julie Dyke said: "It has been extremely busy over the past two days with news of the salad shortage on the telly. It's done us a favour, really." Supermarkets have blamed the shortages on bad weather and transport issues abroad. As their shelves emptied, many introduced rationing.
Andrew Opie, director of food and sustainability at the British Retail Consortium, confirmed parts of the continent were experiencing a "disrupted harvest" but that restrictions were only temporary. He said: "Difficult weather conditions in the South of Europe and Northern Africa have disrupted harvest for some fruit and vegetables including tomatoes and peppers.
"While disruption is expected to last a few weeks, supermarkets are adept at managing supply chain issues and are working with farmers to ensure that customers are able to access a wide range of fresh produce."
