A large-scale giveaway of free nectarines by Central Valley farmer Cesar Mora was temporarily shut down by authorities due to safety concerns stemming from massive crowds.
Mora had announced plans to give away 125,000 pounds of nectarines, stating he refused to let another harvest go to waste. He claims the agriculture company Giumarra is blocking him from selling or packing the fruit amidst a dispute over crop ownership, despite his assertion that he has personally cultivated the nectarines for the past decade.
The giveaway, intended to run from June 29 to July 3, drew thousands of people, causing lines of cars to stretch for miles and prompting the California Highway Patrol to temporarily halt the event for safety reasons. "What gives them the right? What gives them the authority? What gives them the power? Who says they are kings other than them?" Mora stated on TikTok, referencing Giumarra. "I didn’t crown them and I don’t bow the knee to them either. I won’t bow to a false king."
Following the publicity, Mora reported receiving a cease-and-desist letter from Giumarra demanding he stop the giveaway, and another letter demanding a full accounting of all fruit distributed. Mora maintains that Giumarra claims ownership of the nectarine variety he grows and has sued him for breach of contract. Mora disputes both the ownership claim and the contract's validity, and has filed a counterclaim against Giumarra for fraud and misrepresentation. The legal case has been ongoing since 2023.
Mora expressed his disappointment at the prospect of his fruit going to waste for a second consecutive year, attributing the situation to corporate licensing rights that he believes make the fruit someone else's property. He thanked the community for their support and the positive atmosphere during the giveaway days it was operational.