As families across the nation prepare for Thanksgiving, the local residents of the Cuyama Valley are calling for a carrot boycott targeting corporate giants Grimmway Farms and Bolthouse Farms. In a surprising turn of events, these world-renowned carrot producers have sought dismissal as plaintiffs from the water rights lawsuit they initiated against Cuyamans in 2021. While this move may appear to be a step toward resolution, their land-leasing counterparts persist as plaintiffs, raising doubts about the corporations' professed commitment to community and sustainability.

The Carrot-Free Thanksgiving Movement:

This Thanksgiving, Stand With Cuyama introduces the "Carrot-Free Thanksgiving" movement. As we stand united against corporate overreach, we invite everyone to partake in a Thanksgiving celebration devoid of supermarket carrots—get yours from a farmers market— in solidarity with the Cuyama Valley community. This movement symbolizes our collective commitment to water justice and sustainability. So, why boycott carrots this Thanksgiving? Let's delve into the ongoing struggle in Cuyama Valley.

Unveiling Hypocrisy: Sustainability Claims vs. Groundwater Reality:

The sustainability rhetoric of Grimmway Enterprises and Bolthouse Farms is scrutinized when examining the actions of their land leasors—companies owned by the Grimm and Bolthouse families. These entities, still involved as plaintiffs, seek favorable water allocations through litigation, contradicting the sustainability claims made by the corporate brands. Grimmway Enterprises and Bolthouse Farms' decision to dismiss seems strategic, potentially aimed at distancing their brand names from the ongoing lawsuit.

While the corporations present their withdrawal as a commitment to sustainability, the Cuyama community remains vigilant. Stand With Cuyama asserts that if their intent is genuine, these industry giants should leverage their influence to compel remaining plaintiffs—entities closely tied to the corporate farms—to drop the lawsuit and abide solely by the now state-approved Cuyama Basin Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP). Notably, Cuyama's groundwater basin is one of the 21 most over drafted in California. The community (including Grimmway and Bolthouse who both have voting seats on the Groundwater Sustainability Agency Board) invested years and thousands in taxpayer dollars to draft the GSP. A court decision is unnecessary and redundant.

The 3 Original Goals of the Carrot Boycott:

Grimmway Enterprises and Bolthouse Farms may have withdrawn as plaintiffs, but the Carrot Boycott's three-fold goals echo louder than ever, exposing the ongoing adjudication's impact on the Cuyama Valley community.

1. Cease Overpumping: The rallying cry against excessive water extraction by major carrot growers, Grimmway and Bolthouse, intensifies. The community demands an immediate halt to over pumping to safeguard the precious groundwater of the Cuyama Valley.

2. Drop the Lawsuit: A call to abandon the unnecessary legal battle initiated in 2021 gains momentum. The community insists on complete withdrawal from the lawsuit (by all plaintiffs) which has burdened small farmers, ranchers, and property owners with crippling legal bills and increased the monthly water bills of low-income residents in the town of New Cuyama by $20 a month.

3. Reimburse Residents: Small farmers, the school district, and the Cuyama Community Services District bear the financial brunt of legal defense for their water rights. The community demands reimbursement, holding Grimmway and Bolthouse accountable for the economic strain inflicted on local entities.

Call for Genuine Commitment - Our New 4th Goal: 

The Stand with Cuyama carrot boycott organizers asserts that if Grimmway Enterprises and Bolthouse Farms genuinely care about Cuyama, they should leverage their influence to persuade the remaining land-holding plaintiffs to drop the lawsuit. These remaining plaintiffs, including Bolthouse Properties (owned by the Bolthouse Family), Lapis Land Company, Ruby Land Company, and Diamond Farming Company (believed to be owned by the Grimm family), are intricately linked with the carrot giants. They have deep ties and aligned interests. The community deserves transparency and assurance that corporate influence is not prioritized over the well-being of Cuyama Valley.

The Cuyama Valley community remains resolute in its commitment to water justice. The Cuyama Valley Community Association (CVCA)—a 100+ member organization that fosters education, advocacy and justice for the Cuyama community—has long-sought fair representation in the development of the Groundwater Sustainability Plan. The CVCA joins with the organizers of Stand With Cuyama, demanding transparency and an end to the costly, unnecessary and redundant adjudication suit, which has placed an unfair financial burden on small farmers and landowners in the Cuyama Valley.

The bottom line here is that the reality for the defendants in Cuyama Valley remains unchanged. What does it matter which corporate entity dropped from the lawsuit and which remains as the named plaintiff? The groundwater adjudication—launched by all those corporate entities as a group—is still costing us legal fees and threatening our water rights.

Stand With Cuyama stands resilient, passionately advocating for justice and sustainable water practices. As the legal saga unfolds, our community remains undeterred, unwavering in its commitment to defend water rights and secure a sustainable future for the Cuyama Valley.