A long-standing tradition of trust in Lake Country has come under strain after a local farm stand was raided this week. The stand, part of B&T Orchards, relies fully on the honour system, where customers take fresh produce and leave money in a cash box without supervision.
For many in the community, including frequent shopper Linda Seeley, the system reflects the values of honesty and fairness that help small farms thrive. “They put their trust in people,” she said. “And to see someone violate that trust ruins it for everybody.”
Earlier this week, that trust was broken. Owner Mike Mitchell explained that he first noticed something was wrong when he checked the stand on Monday. He expected to see normal sales, but the inventory told another story. “We came Monday afternoon and noticed that the inventory was slightly reduced — or greatly reduced. When we did the count, which we do once a day, it didn’t add up,” he said.
The theft amounted to more than $100 worth of fruits, vegetables, and baked goods. Mitchell stressed that the money itself was not the main issue. Instead, the act represented a betrayal of the very values on which the stand was built. “At the end of the day, $100 is $100 worth of hard labour that me and my workers put in. We take pride in that. It’s the violation of honesty.”
The Lake Country farm stand operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, stocked with seasonal produce and homemade items. The honour system makes it possible for customers to buy fresh food at any time without staff on site. “We’re not paying wages to oversee the stand — we’re simply producing the fruits and vegetables that we grow here on the farm,” Mitchell explained. “It keeps the cost down for everyone.”
This theft marks the first major incident since the stand opened. Until now, Mitchell had trusted that people would pay fairly, and most did. But the loss raises difficult questions about the sustainability of the model. “If it happens once a week, we’ll be out of business,” he said. “We’ll either have to close down or staff it. And if we staff it, it’ll limit the hours that it’s open.”
For Seeley and other residents, the idea of losing the stand is worrying. Many locals depend on it not only for affordable food but also for the sense of community it fosters. “It’s pretty crappy,” Seeley said. “You’ve got good people doing good things in the community.”
The honour system has deep roots in farming communities. Across rural areas, it allows farmers to sell fresh food without high overhead costs. Customers enjoy lower prices, and the system builds trust between farmers and neighbors. When theft occurs, it puts both the economic and social value of the system at risk.
In Lake Country, the incident has sparked conversations about honesty and responsibility. Some suggest adding cameras or secure boxes, while others believe the community itself must rally to protect the tradition. Mitchell has not made a final decision about changes but admits the theft has forced him to think carefully about the future.
For now, the Lake Country farm stand remains open, stocked with fresh fruits and vegetables for anyone passing by. Mitchell hopes most people will continue to honor the trust that makes the system possible. “It’s the kind of thing where you hope it’s just a one-time deal,” he said.
Community members like Seeley remain optimistic. She believes the good outweighs the bad and hopes the farm stand survives this setback. “You’ve got good people here,” she said. “It only takes one or two to break the system, but the rest of us will keep supporting it.”
The small farm in Lake Country may have lost $100 worth of goods, but the bigger question is whether the community can hold onto a tradition built on honesty. For now, the answer rests in the choices of those who stop to buy fresh produce and decide whether or not to pay.
