Strength In Numbers

摘要

A string of lawsuits notwithstanding, the majority of fruit growers and handlers stand behind their respective federal marketing orders and commissions. IN their war against marketing orders, a vocal minority of disgruntled fruit growers and their attorneys have made front page news by alleging that forced assessments to fund generic promotions violate their rights of free speech. But in reality, do these growers speak for the hundreds of their peers who, year in and year out, pledge their support for these very same marketing orders and state commissions? According to FRUIT GROWER'S informal poll of western fruit growers, maybe not. In fact, some of the groups under attack -- including the California Tree Fruit Agreement (CTFA) and the California Table Grape Commission -- enjoy strong grower support (see chart below).