Person Told To ‘Share’ After Getting Mad At Garden Thieves, Comes Up With Solution

Hundreds of millions of people go to bed hungry. But some of those more fortunate are doing their bit to help. Whether it’s volunteering at a soup kitchen, handing out food, or donating money to charities, there are many ways to make a difference in the lives of those who need it.

One kind person decided to set up a free farm stand in front of their house, but instead of bringing love and peace to the community, it’s creating chaos. People benefiting from the stand have also been helping themselves to vegetables from a nearby property, and the homeowner says he’s at the end of his rope. The whole situation has opened up a debate about whether stealing food is actually a crime -or an act of desperation.

At first, this guy thought his neighbor’s free farm stand to feed the needy was a brilliant idea

Young man looking out window with concerned expression, possibly upset about a neighbor's farm stand dispute.

Image credits: Nothing Ahead/Pexels (not the actual photo)

But when people started raiding his own vegetable garden, everything changed

Man rants about neighbor’s farm stand that won’t move, causing theft from his garden and frustration over costs.

Text excerpt about a neighbor’s farm stand and issues with people stealing from it, causing frustration.

Text excerpt describing a man frustrated with his neighbor's farm stand causing people to steal from his garden.

Text excerpt showing a man ranting about a neighbor’s farm stand causing people to steal from him.

Text rant from a man about his neighbor’s farm stand causing theft and frustration over stolen tomatoes.

Person picking fresh produce at a farm stand with various vegetables, highlighting issues with a neighbor's farm stand.

Image credits: Freepik (not the actual photo)

Text excerpt showing a man approaching his neighbor to discuss moving a farm stand next to another house.

Text excerpt from a man ranting about his neighbor’s farm stand causing theft and frustration in the community.

Text excerpt from a man ranting about a neighbor’s farm stand causing people to steal tomatoes and zucchini.

Text excerpt discussing a man dealing with a neighbor’s farm stand causing theft and community concerns.

Man rants about neighbor’s farm stand causing theft, expressing frustration over people stealing from him.

Text showing a man ranting about his neighbor’s farm stand causing theft and confrontations between them.

Text of a man ranting about a neighbor who won’t move his farm stand, leading to people stealing from him.

Angry man rants about neighbor who won’t move farm stand causing people to steal food meant for his family.

The man thanks people for responding to his plight and said he’s decided what to do

Text excerpt of a man ranting about his neighbor’s farm stand causing people to steal from him.

Text rant about neighbor’s farm stand causing theft and frustration with local police ignoring reports.

Man rants about neighbor’s farm stand blocking area, causing theft and frustration over stolen food signs.

Man ranting about neighbor who won’t move farm stand causing issues and theft from the property.

Image credits: RecentFlatworm1557

The irate neighbor later provided some more information

User ranting about neighbor who won’t move farm stand, causing issues and theft from his property.

Screenshot of online discussion where user rants about neighbor’s farm stand causing theft and police won’t intervene.

How to set up a farm stand: advice from someone who has done it

Image credits: Mark Stebnicki/Pexels (not the actual photo)

Street verges are the most marginal spaces in urban areas, often unplanted, uncared for and sprayed repeatedly by councils, says Koren Helbig. “We’ve reclaimed ours, planted it out, made it a space for community sharing – and perhaps gently encouraged others to think more creatively about the space between their front gate and the road.”

The Australian runs a farm stand called The Local Yum, which she launched in 2020. Helbig grows her own vegetables, makes chutneys and jams, propagates seedlings and sells these alongside other items.

She reveals that when she began her venture, she left the stand on the footpath in front of her house and asked people to pay by putting money in a box or doing a bank transfer. So far, so good, she says.

But there are a few tips to consider if you’re wanting to try your hand at making and running a farm stand, whether you plan to offer your good for free, or make some money.

“First things first, you need something to put your produce and products on,” says Helbig. “Here’s the bit where I urge you to reuse, recycle, repurpose — there’s no need to buy new.” She says her roadside stall is made from “battered old shelves rescued from a neighbour’s shed-clean-out rubbish pile.”

You could also find suitable items in secondhand stores, online marketplaces, through friends or family, or dumped on the side of the road.

Helbig cautions that the location of your stand is very important. “Most things you’ll want to sell won’t do well if left to sit in the hot sun for hours on end,” she explains. “So the ideal location for your roadside stall is under a big shady tree, or possibly against an east- or south-facing wall, which will block much of the hottest afternoon sun.”

If a lot of sun is the only option for you, she suggests using an old fridge. “You’ll never turn it on, but the insulation could help protect things,” explains the stall owner. “Doors that close could help during rainstorms, too.”

She advises that you choose a spot that gets a lot of foot traffic, adding that she lives right near a dog park and has dozens of people passing her house each day.

Of course, it’s also advisable to check what your local laws say about setting up stalls so that you aren’t slapped with a fine. Another important step is to come up with a simple name for your stand, and create a sign. It should catch the eyes of passers-by.

The expert adds that there’s no rule when it comes to money. You don’t have to charge for your stuff if you don’t want to, she writes. You can charge for some things and not for others. Or you can barter.

Helbig says she chose to be part of the monetary economy for a reason. “I wanted to gently spark conversations about the work that goes into growing clean, organic, local food, and therefore its value. I wanted to encourage people to think about sources of food beyond giant multinational supermarkets.”

Some felt sorry for the neighbor, others didn’t. Many provided advice

Screenshot of a Reddit comment discussing issues with a neighbor's farm stand causing theft problems.

Commenter advising to clear farm stand frequently due to neighbor’s stand causing theft issues for man.

Screenshot of a Reddit comment ranting about a neighbor who won’t move a farm stand causing theft issues.

Screenshot of an online forum comment discussing stealing from a garden due to a neighbor's unmoved farm stand.

Man rants about neighbor’s farm stand causing theft and suggests surveillance to stop stealing incidents.

Reddit user rants about neighbor’s farm stand causing theft and frustration over stolen produce from a personal garden.

Commenter advises reporting neighbor causing theft and nuisance by not moving farm stand and impacting property.

Screenshot of a Reddit comment ranting about a neighbor’s farm stand causing theft and suggesting no trespassing signs.

Screenshot of a Reddit comment discussing a neighbor’s farm stand causing frustration and theft concerns.

Screenshot of a user ranting about a neighbor’s farm stand causing theft and property disputes in an online forum.

Comment ranting about neighbor’s farm stand causing theft, discussing anger and sharing boundaries with neighbors.

Comment about a man ranting over neighbor’s farm stand causing theft, suggesting recording thieves and involving police.

Screenshot of a Reddit comment ranting about a neighbor who won’t move his farm stand causing theft issues.

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