pears

About 87% of all fresh U.S. pears come from the Northwest, according to the Pear Bureau Northwest. But many pear farmers in the Northwest say they’re going into deep debt or are getting out of the business.

In a lawsuit against fruit-growing giant Stemilt, workers say allegations stemmed from a change in production standards set forth in the company's guest worker contract. A separate case involved a challenge to Washington's rules on farmworker housing and sleeping quarters during the pandemic.