I believe the reason for it has more to do with the JA not allowing commercial sale of produce that isn't perfect and some farmers just seeing if spare change can be had. In a neighborhood next to mine some families have farm plots next to them and they sell vegetables from their drive way. It is interesting to say the least.
I imagine that farms stop the practice when it’s no longer profitable due to dishonesty and theft. It’s only a small secondary source of income in any case. The main income is wholesale anyway.
