Photo: Contributed

Someone is stealing produce from a veggie stand in Armstrong.

It would seem not everyone has honour.

For the past five years Jennifer Bellmann has been selling fresh produce from her Armstrong farm on the honour system.

A small vegetable stand at the end of her driveway currently has fresh asparagus that people can simply pick up what they want, leave their money and be on their way.

Bellmann said the system works for 99 per cent of the people.

However, the remaining one per cent are causing problems.

“We've always done a self-serve honour system; make your own change. Most people are really good, but this month in particular we've had problems,” said Bellmann. “This guy is stealing a lot of product. Someone took bolt cutters the other week to the lock.”

Bellmann said they have an eye witness to the thefts and a good description of the suspect.

She also wants other people and businesses in the area to be leery of someone with a bag full of fresh asparagus.

“We found out he is actually going around selling it,” she said. “He is going from business to business. He's selling it for $10 a pound, $8 a pound – I wish I could get that.”

Bellmann said every once in a while, a bag of produce will go missing and a couple years ago they had several items stolen, but the culprit was caught and the thefts stopped.

But the current veggie thief recently cleared out the entire stand.

“This is a substantial amount he is taking,” said Bellmann, adding they are thinking of installing security cameras, but she admits that is not a step they wanted to take.

Bellmann said they have a vehicle description and a description of the thief from an eye witness.

The suspect is also trying to sell other items to local businesses such as carrots and cheese and a few other items.

Despite the unscrupulous actions of one person, Bellmann said they have no plans of closing the vegetable stand any time soon.