Keeping PYO Alive

A small change to help protect the future of Pick Your Own at Malt Kiln Farm Shop.

PYO has become a treasured summer tradition for so many families and we never take that for granted.

We love seeing children picking strawberries for the first time, families making memories, and people connecting with where food comes from.

But the reality is…

Growing fruit is becoming more challenging and costly each year.

From planting and irrigation to staffing and crop care, an enormous amount of time, work and investment goes into every season.

Sadly, over recent years we’ve also seen increasing misuse of the PYO fields.

Large groups entering mainly to eat fruit without purchasing has become a growing issue for us as a family business.

To help keep PYO sustainable, fair and enjoyable for all visitors, we now operate with a timed entry system alongside the booking deposit, similar to how many visitor attractions and restaurants manage busy periods.

The good news is:

Your entry deposit is deducted from the fruit you pick when you return within your allocated time.

So genuine PYO customers are not losing out.

These changes are simply about helping us continue offering quality Pick Your Own experiences for years to come.

Thank you for supporting local farming, local food and our family business