POM Wonderful Section 2 by Robert Vargas

SUMMARY

rvargas407116 — 2024-03-08 22:27:52 UTC

The author wants an interview with Stewart Resnick, a key figure in agriculture and water control in California. Resnick had turned public water into private by acquiring the Kern Water Bank, using $74 million in taxpayer money. The author then goes to Resnick's mansion and learns about Resnick's past and how he got rich. Resnick got married to his wife Lynda and made more money through owning the Franklin Mint company. They expanded their ventures to include pistachios, almonds, and pomegranates, dominating the market and controlling 65% of the nation's pistachio crops. Resnick then dismisses any criticisms towards himself about the water problems and goes on to talk about how he and his wife made the company POM Wonderful.

PROS

rvargas407116 — 2024-03-08 22:28:23 UTC

Resnick can mass produce fruits and vegetables for people to eat.
Donated $15 million to found UCLA’s Stewart and Lynda Resnick Neuropsychiatric Hospital and more than $25 million to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art to build a pavilion in their name.

Drought News

rvargas407116 — 2024-03-08 22:30:15 UTC

In the news article it talks about how California might be drought free through 2025 due to the major storms that have happened in the last 2 winters. They mainly bring up how due to the storms and rains of 2022-2023 fileld up the dry resevoirs around the state and would bring more water to people who needed it. The article ends with a prediction of when California will return back to a drought and how the "La Niña" weather might go on into 2026.

Wine News

rvargas407116 — 2024-03-08 22:31:13 UTC

In the news article it talks about how Stewart Resnick's company, POM Wonderful, has added on a vineyard near Calistoga. They gained the 42 acre vineyard for $11 million and it was filed March 2nd. It later talks about how the wine companies that are nearby the bought land are also doing business with the Wonderful Company, and how their side wine company bought a total of 450 acres from a 2013 deal if you add on their recent investment.

CONS

rvargas407116 — 2024-03-08 22:33:49 UTC

Resnick owns a massive percentage of Kerns water bank, causing a whole town to not even have water.
Resnick has connections to powerful people and has so much cash that it is nearly impossible to change anything for the better.

Kern County and Waterbank News

rvargas407116 — 2024-03-08 22:36:37 UTC

In the news article it talks about Kern County's ongoing discussions and developments in water management, and the water bank. It then talks about how California's water challenges like how stakeholders are working to optimize its usage and storage. The Kern County Water Agency leads initiatives to bolster reserves and implement sustainable practices to mitigate drought impacts. Recent focus has been on enhancing the water bank's efficiency and capacity to address evolving water needs amidst climate change. Collaboration among policymakers, water agencies, and the community is crucial for ensuring resilience in Kern County's water resources.

rvargas407116 — 2024-03-08 22:39:17 UTC

In the article it talks about a lawsuit that alleges the Wonderful and POM Wonderful companies were misleadingly promoting their POM Wonderful 100% Pomegranate Juice as healthy and "All Natural," while independent testing reveals it contains harmful PFAS chemicals. It then talks about how PFAS are linked to serious health effects and are found in the juice at significant levels, contradicting the companies' wellness claims. Previous false advertising allegations against POM Wonderful are mentioned, including a 2010 FTC complaint. The lawsuit seeks to represent consumers who purchased the juice in the United States.