Since its inception in 2015, Woolworths' Free Fruit for Kids program has been a delightful addition to the shopping experience for families across Australia.

The initiative aims to promote healthy eating habits among the youngest customers, allowing children to enjoy complimentary fruit while their parents navigate the aisles.

However, a recent display at a Melbourne Woolworths store has raised eyebrows and sparked a mix of amusement and confusion among shoppers.

A photograph taken by a customer reveals a noticeable deviation from the usual offerings.

Instead of the typical selection of apples, bananas, or mandarins, one basket was curiously stocked with carrots.

Above the basket, a sign cheerfully proclaimed, 'Free fruit fuels kids. Let your kids enjoy a fresh piece of fruit while you shop.'

Woolworths' Free Fruit for Kids program raised questions after shoppers found carrots instead of fruit. Credit: Reddit

This unusual choice of snack led to a flurry of online commentary, with one shopper quipping, 'Glad I named my kid Rudolph,’

Another shopper expressed that their children would be thrilled, as they adore carrots.

‘My kids love carrots. They'd be chuffed.’ she said.

Some Woolworths patrons revealed an 'unspoken store policy' that emerged over time.

'I think the quiet unspoken store policy is that it's okay for your kids to be eating anything from the produce section while you shop,' one customer mentioned

‘Several staff members at my local have told me this,’ another echoed.

It's important to note that carrots are not typically included in the Free Fruit for Kids program.

The initiative usually featured fruits that are easy to handle and consumed on the go, such as bananas, apples, mandarins, and pears.

Woolworths provides store guidelines for setting up and maintaining the fruit display, but variations can occur based on the availability of regional produce.

Since the program's launch, over 100 million pieces of fruit have been handed out to kids, making it a significant contribution to the health and happiness of little shoppers.

Interestingly, this isn't the first time the free fruit program has been at the centre of discussion.

In the past, adults have been called out on social media for partaking in the free fruit intended for children and leaving the store without making any purchases.

This program misuse has been a point of contention among ethical shoppers.

Moreover, Woolworths' competitor Coles had also offered a similar free fruit program but discontinued it in all stores in November last year.

This decision was met with disappointment from some customers, with one Melbourne mother expressing her dissatisfaction and urging others to 'boycott' Coles for the change.

In related news, Woolworths has received praise for offering free water bottles to customers to beat the heat.

A social media photo of the bottles prompted many to call the initiative a 'great idea.' Read more here.

Key Takeaways

• Woolworths' Free Fruit for Kids program was questioned when a shopper noticed a basket filled with carrots instead of the usual fruit options.
• Shoppers reacted with a mix of humour and surprise, with some believing it's acceptable to select any fruit from the shelves for their children if their preferred choice is not in the free display.
• Woolworths followed the Free Fruit for Kids program guidelines, commonly offering bananas, apples, mandarins, and pears. Still, it has been stated that carrots are not the standard offering.
• Coles has ceased its free fruit program, prompting customer disappointment and social media discussions with calls to boycott the supermarket.

Have you or your grandchildren enjoyed the Free Fruit for Kids program? What do you think about including different types of produce in the program? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.

 

[Lucia zanetti]

It’s a good idea to have carrots, celery, beans as well as fruit in the kiddie basket, as many children don’t have access to fresh veggies, for poorer families only buy frozen.

 

[Annna]

Adult shoppers shouldn't eat it. The 'entitled ones' do.

 

[Littleboy8]

It’s a good idea to have carrots, celery, beans as well as fruit in the kiddie basket, as many children don’t have access to fresh veggies, for poorer families only buy frozen.

Frozen is better nutrionally for you anyway and fresh starts to lose nutrition values after 3 days compared to frozen fruit and veggies.it pays to do research.

 

[Marilynne]

It’s a good idea to have carrots, celery, beans as well as fruit in the kiddie basket, as many children don’t have access to fresh veggies, for poorer families only buy frozen.

It is not only the "poorer families" as you put it buying frozen veggies. Frozen veggies are more often than not fresher than fresh, I wish someone can answer the question "how long have these "fresh" vegetables been sitting on the shelf or out the back in the cool shed or fridge

 

[Luckyus]

It’s a good idea to have carrots, celery, beans as well as fruit in the kiddie basket, as many children don’t have access to fresh veggies, for poorer families only buy frozen.

There is the argument that frozen vegetables are fresher than those on the shelf?

 

[Grumpypa]

I grew up in a small country town, and mum bought her produced from a van parked in the main street. Every time we purchased something there the lady would give me carrot that I would munch on while I walked with my mother around the street. They always were so chrisp and fresh and now I think about it they were probably dug up earlier the same day.

 

[Veggiepatch]

Firstly, since when have carrots been a fruit?

Secondly, does Woolworths have a sink to wash free produce before consumption in the store. What parent would give their child unwashed produce such as apples and carrots?

 

[Clancieblue]

Choking hazard right at the front door,good work.

 

[Mr Chips]

Woolworth's free fruit for kids is just wonderful. Adding fresh vegetables such as carrots is even better. There is nothing wrong with a nice fresh carrot for health reasons, particularly teeth maintenance. I have read here that someone wants to know about how clean the fruit and vegetables are and what facilities Woolworths has in store to do so, give me a break! What a stupid question. I was brought up on a farm and would eat vegetables I had just picked from the ground, plant, bush or tree with no cleaning other than a wipe by hand or on the jeans. It was fantastic.

 

[Littleboy8]

Woolworth's free fruit for kids is just wonderful. Adding fresh vegetables such as carrots is even better. There is nothing wrong with a nice fresh carrot for health reasons, particularly teeth maintenance. I have read here that someone wants to know about how clean the fruit and vegetables are and what facilities Woolworths has in store to do so, give me a break! What a stupid question. I was brought up on a farm and would eat vegetables I had just picked from the ground, plant, bush or tree with no cleaning other than a wipe by hand or on the jeans. It was fantastic.

Alot of chefs and cooks in foodie shows on tv do just what you do when there out in the field I’ve done it and a lot of people I know have also. No biggie.

 

[Wandiwa]

Looks like the shareholders objected to bananas at $4.50 kg being given away for free.

 

[Ebby]

Firstly, since when have carrots been a fruit?

Secondly, does Woolworths have a sink to wash free produce before consumption in the store. What parent would give their child unwashed produce such as apples and carrots?

l agree and you don't know who has touched the unwashed vegetable or fruit and carrots being a fruit really some people do need to go back to school.

 

[Mr Chips]

l agree and you don't know who has touched the unwashed vegetable or fruit and carrots being a fruit really some people do need to go back to school.

Does it matter? A carrot looks like a fruit as far as most kids are concerned. It's edible, crunchy, chewy and good for them, not that it is a consideration. Handling the fruit/vegetables is done by Woolworths staff with rubber gloves on. It is not very different from your meat products or delicatessen items. Perhaps we need to investigate where chickens were and what they ate just before being processed and packed???

 

[Ebby]

Does it matter? A carrot looks like a fruit as far as most kids are concerned. It's edible, crunchy, chewy and good for them, not that it is a consideration. Handling the fruit/vegetables is done by Woolworths staff with rubber gloves on. It is not very different from your meat products or delicatessen items. Perhaps we need to investigate where chickens were and what they ate just before being processed and packed???

Ha ha you are sooh funny.

 

[Veggiepatch]

Does it matter? A carrot looks like a fruit as far as most kids are concerned. It's edible, crunchy, chewy and good for them, not that it is a consideration. Handling the fruit/vegetables is done by Woolworths staff with rubber gloves on. It is not very different from your meat products or delicatessen items. Perhaps we need to investigate where chickens were and what they ate just before being processed and packed???

I just don't eat non animal produce covered in soil. You may like the crunch of unwashed potatoes but I draw the line. Ohhh....that's right! I'm still waiting for my dentures so the grittiness of brushed potatoes do not worry me! I'll just have to wait a few weeks to experience that sensation once more!

And I don't eat chicken gizzards or giblets as they were once known. It's just plain offal (awful).

 

[Ebby]

Ha ha you are sooh funny.

You don't know what goes on behind the scene, what you think is clean could have been dropped on the floor
As for deli goods l have seen staff pick up the meat with their fingers at closing time when they put it away and also during the day another girl stuffing sliced meat in her mouth .Perhaps l'm just a little fussier than you.

 

[Ezzy]

My thoughts was that the carrots shown in the photo were a lot for a child to eat on their own. I thought a small carrot would suffice & possibly less likely to be partly eaten & the rest thrown away, as l have regularly seen done with apples.

 

[Clancieblue]

Woolworth's free fruit for kids is just wonderful. Adding fresh vegetables such as carrots is even better. There is nothing wrong with a nice fresh carrot for health reasons, particularly teeth maintenance. I have read here that someone wants to know about how clean the fruit and vegetables are and what facilities Woolworths has in store to do so, give me a break! What a stupid question. I was brought up on a farm and would eat vegetables I had just picked from the ground, plant, bush or tree with no cleaning other than a wipe by hand or on the jeans. It was fantastic.

That sounds a bit different than everyone mauling produce at the front door. Did the staff placing it there wash their hands first?

 

[Littleboy8]

I just don't eat non animal produce covered in soil. You may like the crunch of unwashed potatoes but I draw the line. Ohhh....that's right! I'm still waiting for my dentures so the grittiness of brushed potatoes do not worry me! I'll just have to wait a few weeks to experience that sensation once more!

And I don't eat chicken gizzards or giblets as they were once known. It's just plain offal (awful).

No one in there right mind would eat raw potatoes covered in dirt would they i was talking about fruit on trees .