Reedley, California – A local grower has opened his orchard to the public this week, inviting residents to collect free nectarines by the bucketful. The decision stems from an ongoing legal dispute that has prevented him from selling his crop for a second straight season. More than 125,000 pounds of fruit hang on the trees, and rather than watch another harvest go to waste, the farmer chose to distribute it at no cost. Cesar Mora operates a small stone-fruit orchard in the Reedley area. He says a contract disagreement with Giumarra Brothers Fruit Company has left him unable to market the Monalise white nectarines he grows. The company filed suit after Mora stopped delivering fruit under their agreement and sought other buyers. Mora maintains the arrangement was unfair and has filed a cross-complaint. With trial scheduled for next month, the fruit remains unpicked and unsold. **A practical response to stalled sales** Mora announced the giveaway on social media earlier this week. He set limited hours – 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. daily from June 29 through July 3 – and asked visitors to bring their own containers. Within hours of the first announcement, cars lined the road leading to the orchard. Families and individuals arrived with boxes, bags, and buckets, leaving with loads of ripe nectarines. The scale of the distribution matches the size of the blocked harvest. Roughly 125,000 pounds of fruit are being offered at no charge. Mora has described the situation as deeply frustrating, noting that dealing with a large agricultural company has created obstacles he did not anticipate when he signed the original agreement years earlier. **Community response and daily logistics** Local residents have responded quickly. Reports from the site indicate steady streams of people each morning, with many expressing appreciation for the fresh, locally grown fruit. Some have returned on multiple days to collect additional amounts for neighbors or community groups. The giveaway operates on a first-come, first-served basis within the posted window, and Mora has emphasized that the fruit is free for anyone who arrives during operating hours. The effort also serves a practical purpose for the farm. By clearing the trees now, Mora avoids the cost and labor of managing a rotting crop while the legal matter continues. He has indicated the distribution will continue until the current harvest is gone or the court process yields a resolution. **Looking ahead** The case remains active in Fresno County Superior Court. Mora continues to assert that the contract terms and the company’s claims over the variety do not prevent him from selling the fruit elsewhere. Until that question is settled, the orchard’s output is reaching households directly instead of commercial channels. For now, the focus in Reedley has shifted from litigation updates to the simple act of sharing a large volume of fresh nectarines with anyone willing to pick them up. The response underscores how quickly word spreads when a grower decides to turn an impasse into an open invitation.
AI Disclaimer: This article was created with the assistance of AI tools and reviewed by a human editor.