Underwood Ranches was the sole grower of the chili peppers used in Sriracha until a bitter legal battle with Huy Fong Foods ended a nearly 30-year partnership
Craig Underwood of Underwood Ranches tosses jalapeño peppers into the air in a Ventura County field where they are grown.
“It certainly isn’t our nature to give up. We felt we had been wronged, so we were hoping we could right that through the court,” said Underwood, who manages the Camarillo farm. “When the verdict came down, there was a lot of celebrating. We celebrated at lunch. We celebrated at dinner. And then we celebrated the next day.”
Historically, Huy Fong would prepay Underwood Ranches for the estimated costs associated with growing and harvesting the chilies. The agreement was “partly oral, partly written and partly established by the parties’ practice,” court records show.The following month, Huy Fong Foods filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles County Superior Court, which later was moved to Ventura County, where Underwood’s business is located.
“When our relationship with Huy Fong fell apart, we didn’t know what we were going to do on the farm. But we’re pepper growers,” Underwood said. “So after a while, we just thought, ‘Why don’t we make our own line of sauces?’”
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Jury Finds Sriracha Maker Owes Its Former Chili Pepper Grower $23.3 MillionPlus, McDonald’s franchisees are begging for a chicken sandwich like Chick-fil-A’s, and more news to start your day
Read more »
Almost 40 million Americans under warnings or advisories because of dangerous heatWhile many Americans along the Gulf Coast are bracing for torrential rain and a possible hurricane, millions of others are dreading the oppressive heat to come in the next few days.
Read more »
U.S. Fed policy-makers debate merit of a repo facilityFederal Reserve officials argued the pros and cons of a possible policy tool tha...
Read more »
Red Wing, Iconic U.S. Shoe Maker, Labors Mightily to Bring Production HomeThe Minnesota company had to rebuild vanishing skills and overcome high wages to introduce a new work boot.
Read more »
Bidding wars are heating up. Here's how to win your dream homeThe dull days of summer may be over sooner than expected in the nation's housing market. The supply of homes for sale, which had been increasing earlier this year, could turn lower again soon, and that will likely mean the return of bidding wars.
Read more »