It’s come to this! Fruit shops now need signs to stop shoppers from snapping broccoli

Some Aussie shoppers can’t resist a sneaky grape—or a broccoli branch—while browsing the fruit and veg section.

But one Melbourne grocer has had enough, and their stern warning has sparked laughs, outrage, and a cheeky rebellion.

Apparently, snapping off the stems of broccoli is a full-blown trend…and it’s leaving store owners fuming.


A shopper in Melbourne recently posted a photo on social media showing a handwritten sign from a local fruit shop.

‘Do NOT break the broccoli,’ it read in bold black marker.

‘You will pay $1 extra for each you break if we find out.’


image1.jpg
Sign warns shoppers: don’t snap the broccoli. Image source: Pexels/Kampus Production
Disclaimer: This is a stock image used for illustrative purposes only and does not depict the actual person, item, or event described.


The blunt tone left many amused, but others were more baffled by the broccoli crackdown.

While sampling fruit like grapes may be common in Aussie supermarkets, it turns out some shoppers have taken things further—by snapping off the heavier stems of broccoli to reduce the weight and cost.

Unfortunately for the grocer, their sign wasn’t quite the deterrent they may have hoped for.

‘If we find out,’ one commenter laughed.

‘Challenge accepted,’ another wrote, echoing the rebellious sentiment.

‘I only use broccoli stalk,’ someone else added with a chuckle.


Others were less amused, calling the behaviour selfish and frustrating.

‘I once showed up to Coles and it was just stalks,’ one person shared.

‘So that was a bit s***. It seemed selfish to snap the brocs.’

Another shopper recalled: ‘I dated a dude who would snap the stem off before paying. Genuinely embarrassing.’

One commenter summed up the sentiment with a pun: ‘Break brocoooli? Not cool, bro.’

The broccoli wars may not be over—but it’s clear not everyone’s laughing.


It’s not just broccoli under scrutiny—shoppers are becoming more vocal about what produce is worth the price these days.

With grocery costs continuing to rise, many are questioning whether certain items still deserve a spot in the trolley.

If you've ever second-guessed a staple while staring at its price tag, this next story might feel all too familiar.

Read more: Shoppers share concerns over produce prices in Australia. Is it time to remove this staple from your shopping list?

Key Takeaways
  • A Melbourne grocer warned shoppers not to break broccoli stems.
  • The handwritten sign threatened a $1 fee for each broken stem.
  • Some social media users mocked the warning and turned it into a joke.
  • Others agreed the behaviour was selfish and inconsiderate.

Have you ever bent the rules for a cheaper grocery haul—or do you think it’s just plain rude?
 

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I stood next to a man removing the stalks from mushrooms , he told me no one eats them they just throw them away so why should he pay for something he doesn’t use. Personally I eat the stalks .
Use the mushroom stalks in soups, stews and stirfries. Thats for the large ones. Button mushrooms, just cut through the lot and cook. A lot of people it seems, need to get a basic cook book on how to use vegetables. I have not a lot of waste, as use as much a possible, and when we had a dog, when cooking the meat up, a lot of the scrap veges were cooked up with it.
 
Use the mushroom stalks in soups, stews and stirfries. Thats for the large ones. Button mushrooms, just cut through the lot and cook. A lot of people it seems, need to get a basic cook book on how to use vegetables. I have not a lot of waste, as use as much a possible, and when we had a dog, when cooking the meat up, a lot of the scrap veges were cooked up with it.
I love eating them au la natural.🌞I had a friend and she used to peel the skin off the top of them goodness knows why.idiot🌞
 
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Why is the truth too hard for you
I only buy 1 or 2 tomatoes at a time so when I choose vine tomatoes I will only buy what I need. I leave some vine on each tomato. That is not being a thief. I pay the price per kilo displayed. I am not going to take a vine that has more than I need and then waste them when they go mouldy.
 
Omg I go for the biggest stalk and as soon as I get home I cut it off, peel it and gobble it straight down. It’s the best part The same goes for cauliflower and cabbage!! Hmmmmm maybe I could go to this fruiterer and navel up all the stalks seeing they have already been paid for hahahaha
Marry me? I do the same.
 
I only buy 1 or 2 tomatoes at a time so when I choose vine tomatoes I will only buy what I need. I leave some vine on each tomato. That is not being a thief. I pay the price per kilo displayed. I am not going to take a vine that has more than I need and then waste them when they go mouldy.
That is not what you said in your first comment so you either do take them off the vine and don't like being called out on it or you pay the correct price for vine tomatoes.
 
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