A farmer in California’s Central Valley is giving away over 125,000 pounds of nectarines due to a legal dispute regarding the ownership of the harvest.
Cesar Mora, who farms near Reedley, about 30 miles from Fresno, expressed his frustration at seeing his crops rot, prompting him to decide on this giveaway instead of losing another season’s yield.
Mora is in conflict with the agricultural firm Jumara, which is contesting the ownership of the nectarines he has cultivated privately for the last decade. This dispute has barred him from selling or even packing the fruit.
“It’s disheartening to let such beautiful fruit go to waste,” Mora commented, noting that if a company holds rights to certain varieties, the fruit may belong to someone else. He termed it a “total loss.”
“I planted and nurtured these trees for eight years, only to watch the fruit drop to the ground. It’s incredibly frustrating,” he added.
The giveaway is scheduled from June 29 to July 3, as he prefers to distribute the fruit instead of letting it spoil.
“Nectarines are going straight to the trash. Please bring your own bags, as we only have one bag per person. Thank you for your understanding,” Mora urged in a post.
So far, the event has reportedly been a huge success, with hundreds attending daily to collect fruit.
Gina Ramirez mentioned they came all the way from Bakersfield specifically for the nectarines.
“It’s disheartening being a small farmer, feeling like large corporations aim to push us out,” she said.
The legal conflict has been ongoing since 2023.
According to sources, Jumara claims ownership of the nectarines and has sued Mora for breach of contract. Mora is challenging these claims while also counter-suing for fraud and misrepresentation.
Recently, Mora announced that the giveaway will proceed, estimating there are still 20 to 30 pounds of nectarines left to distribute.
“We appreciate everyone who came out today! We are genuinely thankful for the support and did not anticipate such a turnout,” he posted.
