Should supermarkets allow fruit snacks?

On Wednesday, as I entered a supermarket, my two-year-old daughter eyed off a banana to consume while I did my shopping.

With a happy toddler I was able to walk around the store and finish my grocery shopping. As I was paying for my groceries the staff member said “my store manager noticed that your daughter ate a banana when you entered the store, when were you planning on paying for it?”

The staff member had one banana next to her ready to scan to ensure I would pay for my 41 cent banana. She clearly stated they did not offer free fruit like other supermarkets do for children.

I was absolutely humiliated by the accusation of theft in front of other customers. I am a regular customer and spend many hundreds of dollars each week and to be told that my daughter could not consume one banana without being accused of theft is outrageous.

I cannot imagine how much fruit wastage there is each and everyday, but to pinpoint one incident like this is not only belittling to a mother but unkind to a toddler.

I hope you got great satisfaction of ensuring that a toddler was held financially accountable for eating a piece of fruit. Perhaps take a leaf out of other major supermarkets and encourage healthy eating for children.

Jackelene Gleeson, Hallora

Call for hospital update

Harriet Shing, the Labor upper house member for this area has got me confused.

In her latest advert in the Gazette, she says that she is working hard for our community. I would suggest that most of us know what “working hard” means so I would like to ask her via the Gazette why she has made no comment as to how hard she is working to get us our new hospital.

As the voice of Labor in this area, I would have thought that “working hard” would include a concerted effort to get going on our much needed hospital.

So Harriet, what about an update on how hard you are working to get our new hospital going?

Roger Marks, Drouin

A yes from me

Well done to the courageous allies who spoke up about previous letters opposing The Voice.

To the authors of letters that are thinly veiled or blatantly racist opinions, may I suggest you educate yourself on voice, truth, treaty.

It’s a big yes vote from me.

Joanna Ash-Griffiths, Drouin