Bellmann Specialty Produce runs this farm stand, which operates using the honour box system, between May and November.
Image Credit: Jen Bellmann
July 18, 2018 - 6:30 PM
It’s becoming rarer and rarer, but some trusting farmers are still keeping the tradition of using honour boxes to sell their produce alive, despite the odd bad apple.
Genniene Sutherland of Mama’s Farm in Vernon says it will take more than one ill-mannered shopper to stop her from offering organic meats and eggs in her “honour fridge.”
Sutherland has experienced a rash of thefts this summer, one of the inherent risks of using an honour box system. But, she says the good in people far outweighs the bad.
“The majority of people are honest,” Sutherland says. “Some people leave more than what’s expected.”
After eight thefts and roughly $800 in lost revenue, even the police suggested that Sutherland consider closing up her honour fridge.
“There are too many good people who come here, hundreds of them. I want people to have that choice to come to the farm and see the animals and see where the products come from,” she says.
Another local farmer, Jen Bellmann of Bellmann's Specialty Produce in Spallumcheen, has encountered numerous thefts from her farm gate honour box this summer. She’s lost hundreds of dollars in stolen produce, and like Sutherland, has also had cash left by honest citizens taken as well.
“It’s tough when you’ve been working your butt off in the field and they come when you’re out there doing an honest day’s work and they feel like they can just take it,” Bellmann says.
Despite the frustrations, she still loves her honour box, and so do her customers.
“People thank us for having it. It’s a great way for them to access affordable produce. They can come whenever it suits their schedule — not everyone can make it to a farmer’s market. Some people also like that they can come and not talk to anyone,” she says with a laugh. “Most people just thank us for having faith in humanity and trusting that people will do the right thing.”
Sometimes, the inventory doesn’t balance perfectly but there’s often a handwritten note to explain why.
“Someone will say they’ll pay us tomorrow and the next day you’re up a few bucks because someone has replaced it. Ninety-nine per cent of the time it works so well,” she says.
She says newcomers are often surprised that she still operates one.
“The first question they ask is ‘how does it work? Are people honest?’ Everyone has a story of someone they used to know that had a stand and it isn’t open any more because they were stolen from,” she says. “It’s just a nice part of our business. It doesn’t make a ton of money but it was part of our vision when we started the farm. I think it’s a great community thing. My faith in humanity is still great, I won't let one person ruin it for the rest of us.”
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