California Farmer Gives Away 125,000 Pounds of Nectarines as Lawsuit Blocks Sales Before July 20 Trial
Updated
Updated · The Independent · Jul 2
California Farmer Gives Away 125,000 Pounds of Nectarines as Lawsuit Blocks Sales Before July 20 Trial
3 articles · Updated · The Independent · Jul 2
Summary
Cesar Mora opened his Reedley orchard this week to give away about 125,000 pounds of nectarines after a long-running lawsuit left him unable to sell the crop.
2,000 to 3,000 people have already shown up for free fruit, according to his attorneys, with videos showing large crowds picking through bins and some visitors driving two hours to reach the farm.
The dispute stems from a 2017 contract with Giumarra Brothers Fruit Co. to grow Monalise white-flesh nectarines; Giumarra says Mora breached the deal, while Mora counters that the company's practices left him farming at a loss.
Last year's harvest largely rotted on the ground, and Mora says he chose giveaway over waste for a second straight season as the case heads to trial on July 20.