Farmer’s Nectarine Giveaway in Central Valley Amid Legal Dispute

In the midmorning heat, hundreds gathered outside a San Joaquin Valley farm this week for free nectarines from large blue bins. The fruit was up for grabs, thanks to farmer Cesar Mora.

It was going to rot on a tree again, and I said let’s give it away, said Mora. Let’s let people at least enjoy it, because I take pride in what I do.

Mora, alongside his wife Yuliana, prepared to distribute over 125,000 pounds of nectarines from their Central Valley farm. A contract dispute with Giumarra Brothers Fruit Co. left Mora unable to sell his nectarine crop. This led to a giveaway of more than a hundred thousand pounds of white-flesh nectarines outside Reedley from Monday to Friday.

Mora has farmed in Central Valley for more than 30 years. He learned the ropes of growing stone fruit with the hope of owning a farm. However, securing financing proved difficult. So I’ve had to do this kind of on my own, said Mora. Ten years ago, he began renting a 50-acre ranch to grow three plum varieties, peaches, and nectarines. The Monalise nectarines, involved in the dispute, comprise about 15% of the farm.

Giumarra Bros. Fruit Co. responded to Mora’s “No Nectarines Wasted” initiative by stating,At its heart, this is a disagreement involving two written agreements, and it is being resolved the right way — in court and on the facts.

Mora aimed to prevent fruit waste through the giveaway. On the first day, they planned to distribute 5,000 pounds, but due to the large turnout, they provided more. By day’s end, 20,000 pounds were handed out in 30-pound bags. The giveaway continued with 50,000 pounds distributed the next day and 55,000 on the following day.

Christian Mora managed the giveaway alongside his father amidst a legal battle over the crop’s ownership. By Friday afternoon, around 182,000 pounds of nectarines had been distributed. The enthusiasm of the visitors was a highlight for Mora. The turnout overwhelmed him, with people arriving in groups and blocking the street. Mora expressed that appreciation in his line of work is rare.

Driving his tractor near the event on Tuesday, Mora noted visitors applauding.

I mean personally that was really touching for me, Mora said. I’ve never been applauded like that for my job.

At day’s end, some visitors even gathered fruit that had been set aside.