!['Gutted': Ben Pohlner from Volcano Garlic and Produce Tower Hill disappointed by the recent thefts. Picture: Anthony Brady 'Gutted': Ben Pohlner from Volcano Garlic and Produce Tower Hill disappointed by the recent thefts. Picture: Anthony Brady](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/fdcx/doc7bgstur29cx1egozi456.jpg/r0_0_5146_3431_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
LOCAL producers have been left "gutted" after twice having a full-days earnings stolen from a roadside stall.
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Volcano Garlic and Produce Tower Hill owners Ben and Sarah Pohlner have been selling homegrown products from their stall along the Princes Highway, Illowa.
When the coronavirus pandemic forced the shutdown of farmer's markets across the state, their humble stall became the lifeline for many local growers and producers left without a platform to sell their products.
When their honesty box was stolen two times in two weeks, Ben said it was a low blow at an already tough time.
"When the markets closed all of a sudden these guys had nowhere to sell their produce, so our stall became a way for other producers to continue to move their product during the virus period," he said.
"It was a but of a lifesaver for them, so we were quite gutted to see a whole day's takings gone two weeks ago. Then someone had a second go a few days later.
"We've now had to install security lighting and the honesty box is now a gun safe welded in so no-one can hopefully break into it."
He said they often see theft rise when visitors came to the region.
"We don't have problems when it's just locals around, during lockdown we had no problems, but school holiday and tourist visits is when we see theft rise.
"It's certainly not locals taking things and it's a shame because the locals benefit the most out of the stall."
![Support: Ben Pohlner, Sarah Pohlner and Barbara Borgas from Volcano Garlic and Produce Tower Hill say the support from the community has been amazing. Picture: Anthony Brady Support: Ben Pohlner, Sarah Pohlner and Barbara Borgas from Volcano Garlic and Produce Tower Hill say the support from the community has been amazing. Picture: Anthony Brady](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/fdcx/doc7bgrjxye81x88gen458.jpg/r0_0_4903_3269_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
He said around 10 producers, including a Portland apple grower and a Mildura orange farmer, were dropping their produce at the Illowa stall with the markets closed.
They were restocking the stall around four times a day, with 90 per cent of the monies going back to the producers.
Mr Pohlner said the support from the community had been a shining light in dark times.
"The support has been fantastic from the local community, it's surprising how much the community has rallied and helped us," he said.
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