The Nectarines of Wrath

MONDAY, AUGUST 3
PROGRAM #11225 12:00 PM PT

The Nectarines of Wrath. 

A small farmer in the San Joaquin Valley was forced to give away 182,000 pounds of nectarines — an entire year’s work in the orchard — because the agribusiness giant he contracts with prohibited him from selling his fruit on the open market. The corporation claims ownership of the fruit variety; the farmer says he is the victim of unfair and fraudulent business practices. The trial began this week in Fresno with the judge ordering the farmer to destroy all his nectarine trees just as the plaintiff corporation requested. What are the details and takeaways of the case? How many small producers operate under these types of contracts and production restrictions? And what does this case reveal about corporate power to control products and food systems?

Photo: No Nectarines Wasted – Cesar Mora/Facebook

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