Fresno County farmer Cesar Mora is distributing over 182,000 pounds of nectarines to the public free of charge due to an ongoing contract dispute with Giumarra Brothers Fruit Co. The giveaway aims to prevent the crop from being wasted.
Hundreds of individuals lined up at Mora’s farm in the San Joaquin Valley this week to collect the fruit, which was freely available. Mora stated that the decision to give away the nectarines was made because the crop was facing potential spoilage on the trees. He expressed a desire for people to enjoy the fruit, emphasizing his pride in his work.
The extensive giveaway stems from a legal disagreement between Mora and Giumarra Brothers Fruit Co. concerning a contract that outlines the marketing and sale of Mora's nectarine crop. Mora asserts that this dispute prevents him from selling the fruit, leading him to organize the large-scale distribution of his white-flesh nectarines outside the town of Reedley.
The giveaway event, which ran from Monday to Friday, saw people arriving in large groups with bags to gather the nectarines. On the first day, Mora's team initially planned to distribute 5,000 pounds but increased the amount significantly due to the large turnout, eventually giving away over 20,000 pounds. Subsequent days saw distributions of 50,000 and 55,000 pounds, with a total of 182,000 pounds distributed by Friday afternoon.
Mora, who has farmed in the Central Valley for over 30 years, described the excitement surrounding the giveaway as the most gratifying aspect. He recounted an instance on Tuesday where visitors applauded him from their vehicles as he drove by on his tractor, an experience he found deeply touching and unlike any recognition he had previously received for his labor.
In response to Mora’s initiative, Giumarra Bros. Fruit Co. issued a statement indicating that the disagreement involves two written agreements and is being resolved through the judicial system based on factual evidence. Mora, however, maintained his commitment to preventing the fruit from going to waste.
