Roadside stands are fixed features on many a farm. Here’s how halcyon harvesters can help their customers honor the honor system.
“There are a few things that farmers can do to discourage thefts at their farm stands,” said Sergeant John Trovato of the Suffield, CT, police department, “especially if those farm stands are often left unattended.”
With a few simple but prudent measures, farmers can create an atmosphere that discourages sticky fingers.
• Signage – Clear and friendly signage can be a powerful theft deterrent. By prominently displaying your prices and payment instructions, potential thieves are themselves robbed of an excuse about not understanding what you charge. It doesn’t hurt to use positive language reiterating to your customers that their honesty supports local farmers.
• Lighting – Farms cover large areas and can be very dark at night, which can create a convenient opportunity for prospective pilferers. Adding permanent lighting, timed lights and/or motion lights makes your property less vulnerable.
• Cameras – “With the introduction of the Ring cameras, we’ve definitely seen them act as a deterrent for home break-ins,” Trovato explained. “For structures like farm stands, they can do the same. Just the appearance of a camera out in the open, in plain sight, can help give people second thoughts about doing anything they wouldn’t want recorded.”
Letting your regulars know they can help prevent theft too can be a big help. Photo by Enrico Villamaino
• Inventory – Keeping an inventory list up to date and in plain view. On the same sign you list your price, you can add “7 pumpkins left!” Each time someone buys something, update that tally. The odd piece of produce is less likely to go missing when it’s clear you’re keeping count.
• Collecting the Cash – Emptying the cash box frequently just makes sense. Your regulars might observe this and realize that there’s often little cash in the box. And in the event that the box’s contents are carried off, you will minimize your losses.
• The Farmer’s Best Friend – A good watch dog around the property along with unambiguous signage such as “Beware of Dog” can be a very effective measure. (Side note: Geese are also good at being noisy and causing a ruckus when strangers get close.)
• Limit Your Hours – Having your farm stand open all day, every day really increases the number of openings a thief can access your produce – or your earnings. By limiting the hours your stand is open, you can lessen theft, simply because you won’t have your goods as readily available for the taking.
• Lock it Up – Obviously, some produce gets taken in and locked up at the end of the day, but not everything is. “A lot of our farmers have firewood for sale,” said Trovato, “and they were leaving bundles of split logs out overnight. Taking them in and locking them up at night can really cut down on that.”
• Share Your Experience – Don’t be afraid to let your customers know you experienced theft. You can tell them as you pass by or post a sign describing what happened. Your regular patrons are more likely to help keep an eye out. A thief may be less likely to strike again if they know people are on the lookout.
by Enrico Villamaino
