A Coles shopper has taken aim at the supermarket giant after it quietly dropped a popular service from two local stores.
Sharing on social media, the mum said she was “boycotting” Coles after discovering that the supermarket was no longer offering “free fruit for kids” at two stores located close to her.
WATCH VIDEO ABOVE: Aussie mum lets rip over free fruit disappears from local Coles
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She said she was left “mind blown” after staff at the regional Victorian Coles stores had told her that the service was no longer available.
A spokesperson has confirmed to 7NEWS.com.au that the free fruit initiative is not available at every Coles.
“Some stores will offer free fruit for kids but it’s at the discretion of the store and not all stores have this offering at the moment,” the spokesperson said (see full statement below).
In her video, the shopper said she was “disappointed” by the decision to stop offering free produce at her local stores.
She also claimed that during a recent visit to Coles, she had to “pay for the skin” after giving her toddler a banana to eat while they shopped.
“Why is no one talking about the fact that cold have stopped doing free fruit for kids in store?” the shopper, who uses the handle @getsocialwithsammi, said.
“I have been to two different locations in Victoria and both staff members have said they no longer offer. Mind blown.”
“Coles have also made a statement that last year they made a profit after tax of $1.1 billion in Australia.
“Woolworths, on the other hand, have released a statement that they have donated 100 million pieces of fruit in the last eight years.
“Sorry, let’s do the math. Say it’s all bananas – 72 cents a banana on 100 million is $72 million.
“That’s a lot of bananas, but we all know they’re not paying retail prices. So yes, still a huge profit in my opinion.”
The shopper went on to say that she was taking action over the issue.
“Anyway, very disappointed in Coles and I hope this is not true across the board. Hopefully it’s just a selected few shops in Victoria,” she said.
“But for me now I am boycotting Coles – I cannot shop there with my toddler, who you can hear in the background.
“It’s Woolworths for me from now on.”
Coles responds
In a statement to 7NEWS.com.au, a spokesperson said the supermarket is “always looking at new ways to help Australians live and eat better” every day.
“Some stores will offer free fruit for kids but it’s at the discretion of the store and not all stores have this offering at the moment,” the spokesperson said.
“Coles is focused on ways to encourage healthy eating among children.
“Coles sell ‘kids’ packs’ of undersized fruit including apples, pears and mandarins that are perfect for school lunchboxes.
“Earlier this year, we helped educate and encourage Aussies to enjoy great Aussie fresh fruit and veg through the Fresh Food Challenge which featured a free chart available in-store (or to download) with a checklist to follow and complete the pairing of 35 fruit and vegetables.
“This program helped educate our customers in a fun way, on the health benefits of great quality Aussie fruit and veg and helped parents educate their children on fresh food choices.
“Another way that we encourage healthy eating in kids is through our partnership with Little Athletics across the country. Since 2017, Coles has donated more than 3.9 million bananas to grassroots Little Athletics clubs and centres.”
‘Keeps children quiet’
Social media users said the Coles “free fruit for kids” initiative was still available in their local store.
“My local in Queensland still has it,” said one.
Another said: “Mine still does it.”
A third wrote said: “Our Coles workers just tell us to take 1one peice from the shelves. Most workers in my area understand food keeps children quiet while shopping.”