Security says he’s welcome to stay as long as he doesn't block access to the leafy greens.

Port Macquarie resident Barry Lattimore has taken a firm stand on fruit pricing – literally – by erecting a fold-out camp chair in the produce section of his local supermarket, vowing not to move until tomatoes return to “a reasonable bloody price”.

Barry, 64, arrived at 8:04am Wednesday morning carrying a thermos of Bushells, a well-thumbed Sudoku book, and a cardboard sign that read: “Not Moving Until I See a $3.99 Truss.”

“I remember a time when you could get a whole salad for under a tenner,” he told passersby, who weren’t listening. “Now you need a mortgage for a tomato.”

Store staff initially assumed Barry was a lost camping enthusiast, but after his third hour in aisle one, they agreed to let him stay as long as he didn’t obstruct trolley traffic or interfere with the avocado misters.

“He’s no trouble,” said assistant manager Kim. “He actually helped a lady choose a rockmelon earlier. Told her to ‘tap it like you're checking for termites’. She seemed satisfied.”

Barry has reportedly been amusing himself photographing the coriander and timing how long it takes to go to seed. Not long. Barry has dismissed suggestions of canned alternatives as “sacrilege”.

Management from the supermarket hosting Barry's fruit sit-in have confirmed they have no plans to adjust pricing, though a staff member quietly moved one “truss tomato” sticker to a reduced bin to test his resolve.

Barry remains seated.

✉️ Letters to the Editor

Neville T, Lighthouse Beach

“This is what happens when the youth of today refuse to grow their own veg. Back in my day, tomatoes were grown, not negotiated. And don’t get me started on capsicums – bloody luxury items now.”

Marjorie T, Port Macquarie Library (retired)

“While I do sympathise with Barry’s sentiment, I must point out his sign contains a punctuation error. There should be a colon after ‘Not moving’. Also, I hope he brought a cushion. Those chairs are murder on the lumbar.”

Virginia Wolf

‘Barry gave me some wonderful advice about avocado - I've never been able to pick a good one.’