Woolworths shoppers baffled by unusual detail in supermarket display

The Free Fruit for Kids program at Woolworths has been keeping families happy since it was introduced in 2015, with little ones able to enjoy a complimentary healthy snack while shopping. But an apparent display at one store recently left some shoppers less than impressed, with some concluding times are evidently tough.

A photo snapped by a shopper shows a usually full display looking a little different than usual. Instead of a range of fruit options, like apples or bananas, one basket was filled with carrots instead. A sign above it reads, "Free fruit fuels kids. Let your kids enjoy a fresh piece of fruit while you shop". Carrots are an odd choice, thought many who saw the display at a Melbourne store last week.

"Glad I named my kid Rudolph," joked one online, referring to Santa's famous red-nosed reindeer. While another said, "My kids love carrots, they'd be chuffed."

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Woolworths shoppers reveal 'unspoken store policy'

Some implied it's okay to take your preferred fruit from the shelf if it's not offered in the "free" display — so long as it's for little hungry bellies, and not for adults.

"I think the quiet unspoken store policy is that it's ok for your kids to be eating anything from the produce section while you shop," said one. "Several staff members at my local have pretty much told me this," another agreed.

However, Woolworths did not confirm if this is the case when approached by Yahoo.

Carrots not standard practice, bananas and apples preferred

It's understood adding carrots to the 'free fruit' display is not standard practice across Woolworths stores. The Free Fruit for Kids program, which began in 2015, is focused on offering peelable fruit or pre-packed fruit options like bananas, apples, mandarins and pears, so carrots are not typically part of these displays.

All Woolworths stores are given guidelines on how best to set up and maintain their fruit display, however each will look a little different based on the produce available in different regions. More than 100 million pieces of fruit have been given to kids since the launch of the program.

Coles stops offering free fruit for kids

It's not the first time the free fruit program has been the centre of debate. Previously, grown adults revealed on TikTok they often help themselves to the fruit and walk out without buying a thing.

Competitors Harris Farm and, until recently Coles, also offer a similar program. However, in November last year, Coles confirmed to Yahoo it would no longer be offered at all stores.

The revelation came about after one mum claimed she was told "they no longer offer" free fruit for kids when questioning staff in store. The Melbourne woman said she was "very disappointed in Coles" and called people to "boycott" the supermarket.

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