EVENT RECAP

The Community Showed Up

What started as one farmer's refusal to let his harvest go to waste turned into something none of us could have predicted.

When we opened the orchard on Monday morning, we had no idea what to expect. The first day was modest, a steady stream of community members coming out to pick fruit and learn Cesar's story. But then something happened. Word spread. People shared. And every single day the crowd grew bigger.

By midweek, we had to completely change our operation. We switched to a bin system where fruit was pre-picked and brought out in bins, and then to a full line system where volunteers handed bags directly to community members to make sure everything stayed organized and that everyone got a fair chance to take fruit home.

And the community kept coming.

By the end of the week we estimate over 6,000 people had visited Cesar's orchard, supported by countless volunteers who gave their time every single morning to manage lines, fill bags, and keep things running smoothly. Together, this community picked an estimated 182,000 pounds of fresh nectarines that would have otherwise rotted on the ground.

To every person who came out, stood in line, volunteered their time, donated to Cesar's legal fund, and shared his story, thank you. You showed a farmer that his community has his back.

This is not over. Cesar's trial is scheduled for July 20th. Follow along here and on social media as he continues to fight for his livelihood, his orchard, and his family.