California farmer and food marketer spar over who can sell white nectarines
A California farmer is giving away his nectarine harvest for free amid a legal dispute over exclusive rights to the fruit variety. Thousands of people have visited the orchard to collect the produce rather than letting it go to waste.
Why it matters
The story illustrates the intersection of intellectual property rights in agriculture and the practical consequences for small-scale farmers.
View comments Family members and volunteers bag nectarines during a free giveaway at Cesar Mora's orchard in Reedley, Calif., Wednesday, July 1, 2026, amid an ongoing contract dispute over the crop. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) Cesar Mora stands next to bins filled with nectarines as workers pick fruit at his orchard in Reedley, Calif., Wednesday, July 1, 2026, ahead of a free giveaway amid an ongoing contract dispute over the crop. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) A sign directs people to a free nectarine giveaway at Cesar Mora's orchard in Reedley, Calif., Wednesday, July 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) People wait in line to get free nectarines at Cesar Mora's orchard in Reedley, Calif., Wednesday, July 1, 2026, amid an ongoing contract dispute over the crop. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) Family members and volunteers wearing "No Nectarines Wasted" T-shirts bag nectarines at Cesar Mora's orchard in Reedley, Calif., Wednesday, July 1, 2026, as part of a free giveaway amid an ongoing contract dispute over the crop. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) Nectarine Battle California 1 of 6 Family members and volunteers bag nectarines during a free giveaway at Cesar Mora's orchard in Reedley, Calif., Wednesday, July 1, 2026, amid an ongoing contract dispute over the crop. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) CLAIRE RUSH Updated Fri, July 3, 2026 at 4:43 AM UTC 6 min read View comments Add Yahoo as a preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Thousands of visitors have flocked to Cesar Mora's farm in central California this week to gather free nectarines.
The article reports on the farmer's actions and the context of the dispute without taking a side in the legal battle.
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