This Grocery Store Is Selling A Bundle Of Autumn Leaves For $15

2020 just got weirder, if that's even possible. According to Vice, a grocery store in California is now selling a bundle of autumn leaves for $15. Yes, you read that right. Bi-Rite grocery store which, according to their website, is a community-minded grocer that's been in business in San Francisco since 1940, is charging folks good money for something that literally falls out of the sky for free. Listen, we get it — everyone loves fall and the ever-changing cascade of colors that come with it. It's arguably the best time of year to appreciate nature, not to mention the cozy fashion, and all the pumpkin spice lattes. But since when do we need to plunk down hard-earned cash for fallen foliage?

We assume people are using this bundle of autumn leaves for decoration and maybe that's not too far off from hauling a pine tree inside the house for Christmas or adorning our mantles with miniature pumpkins around Halloween. But, again ... leaves are free and widely available ... like, in your own backyard. So, why pay for them?

The two Bi-Rite grocery stores in Northern California that are selling the bundles of autumn leaves have dubbed them the "Grower's Bunch." For $14.95, you'll get three stems, with their leaves attached, wrapped in brown craft paper. The leaves come from maple trees grown on a certified organic farm called McGinnis Ranch. Until maple season ends, that is. A spokesperson for Bi-Rite told Vice, "As the maple season winds down, we expect to have other autumn leaves such as oak and pistache from Figone Ranch." So, it seems Bi-Rite is expecting there to be quite a market for Grower's Bunches this year. Ok, fine, maybe we kind of love the idea of hand-selected pistache leaves nestled alongside the pie on our Thanksgiving table. But, we're still not sure about that $15 pricing strategy.

Bi-Rite defended its hefty price tag to Vice, saying, "Our prices are a reflection of the quality of the food, ingredients, and flowers we sell, which come from farmers and ranchers who use methods that protect the land and the people who work it. We want to pay these farmers who operate more responsibly a fair price to help ensure they can continue farming for decades to come." That's an admirable pursuit ... even if it is all in the name of decorative compost material.