In 2017 California fruit grower Cesar Mora signed a contract with Giumarra Brothers Fruit Company to grow nectarines. Then Mora discovered something troubling. He alleges that about half of his nectarine crop was being rejected and thrown out at the packing house because of minor blemishes, cutting his income significantly, even though he was growing exactly what he contracted to grow. So, he stopped delivering fruit to Giumarra and began selling to a different buyer. Giumarra sued him for breach of contract, claiming he broke their agreement. Unable to legally sell his fruit while the lawsuit dragged on, Mora decided to give it away to his community. Last week, a Fresno County judge ruled against Mora, siding with Giumarra and ordering him to remove every nectarine tree on his property. His attorneys immediately filed an emergency request to pause the order while they appeal. Mora says this situation is more about control than about the money.
