Local student takes on corporate giant Dole Foods and wins
»Play Video
SEATTLE -- When David took on Goliath, no one thought he could win.
That was pretty much the case when a local University of Washington law student took on the Dole Food Company, which happens to be the world's largest producer of fresh fruits and vegetables.
Eric Harrison will be the first to say the Dole turned out to be the good guy in this story, but it certainly didn't start that way. It took persistence and Harrison's bone-deep belief that everyone should have access to clean water.
Harrison loves water, whether it's from the tap, the sky or the lake outside his back door.
"It's every part of your life," he said. "It's water, you can't do without it."
Water is why he started a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing clean water to communities in need. And water is what brought him to Guatemala last year.
Harrison learned that a banana plantation had cleared 1,200 acres and diverted the river. He said that move left 4,500 people -- mostly children -- without clean water.
"What's causing the most deaths in children in those countries? It's usually water related," he said.
He soon learned that the bananas being grown in Guatemala ended up with Dole.
The company touts its environmental integrity on its website, but Harrison didn't see it that way. And since he's also a law student at the UW, he decided to sue, claiming Dole wasn't living up to its promise.
"I said to myself, 'What else can I do? ' If I don't do this, nothing is going to happen down there," he said.
When Dole lost a bid to get the case tossed out, Harrison called the company and asked them to travel to Guatemala with him to see the situation first hand.
"We flew down there together, Dole, and me," Harrison said. "They wanted to see clean water as well."
A month later, Dole settled. The company denied the allegations, but agreed to help Harrison set up a water and distribution system for the Guatemalan community.
Harrison is currently in Guatemala launching the first step in the clean water project and setting up a plant for the locals to make their own clay filters.
That was pretty much the case when a local University of Washington law student took on the Dole Food Company, which happens to be the world's largest producer of fresh fruits and vegetables.
Eric Harrison will be the first to say the Dole turned out to be the good guy in this story, but it certainly didn't start that way. It took persistence and Harrison's bone-deep belief that everyone should have access to clean water.
Harrison loves water, whether it's from the tap, the sky or the lake outside his back door.
"It's every part of your life," he said. "It's water, you can't do without it."
Water is why he started a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing clean water to communities in need. And water is what brought him to Guatemala last year.
Harrison learned that a banana plantation had cleared 1,200 acres and diverted the river. He said that move left 4,500 people -- mostly children -- without clean water.
"What's causing the most deaths in children in those countries? It's usually water related," he said.
He soon learned that the bananas being grown in Guatemala ended up with Dole.
The company touts its environmental integrity on its website, but Harrison didn't see it that way. And since he's also a law student at the UW, he decided to sue, claiming Dole wasn't living up to its promise.
"I said to myself, 'What else can I do? ' If I don't do this, nothing is going to happen down there," he said.
When Dole lost a bid to get the case tossed out, Harrison called the company and asked them to travel to Guatemala with him to see the situation first hand.
"We flew down there together, Dole, and me," Harrison said. "They wanted to see clean water as well."
A month later, Dole settled. The company denied the allegations, but agreed to help Harrison set up a water and distribution system for the Guatemalan community.
Harrison is currently in Guatemala launching the first step in the clean water project and setting up a plant for the locals to make their own clay filters.
From my internal contacts, Mr. Harrison certainly stepped across the line of defamation as did KOMO for publishing miss-leading facts that damage the Brand of Dole. If Mr. Harrison threatens Legal Action, then he should be more specific about how he was using the legal system to win his case. Dole did absolutely nothing wrong legally! There was no case or justification for Mr. Harrison's comments. Does Mr. Harrison practice International Law?
The legal system in the US is much different that International law, yet we teach US law in the United States.However the majority of the World operates on Common Law (Including Latin America).So did he really know what he was doing, or was this a great way to take a self-fulfilling ego trip at the expense of the Dole Brand.
So if you want to act as if youâre an expert because you read a book from 15 years ago and today you believe it to still be true, then you really donât have any credibility with me.
I walk these plantations, farms, third World Countries every week and I do everything I can to help provide for them.Believe it or not we employees of these companies are very compassionate on the behalf of the people within the Supply Chain from Latin America.
You really should ask the people in these Countries of how thankful they are for these Brands and what they do within their communities both Socially and Economically.
This guy is just another "Tom shoes" in the making. what a scam.Â
@PuzzleFighter How is this a scam!? All he gets in return is clean water for people in the villiage.. He didn't make any money, so could you please tell me how this is even close to toms shoes?
@MultiAxisMatt tinyurl.com\/caftruc\/l5ru2iâ¦hjP
coming Summer of 2013:Â http://www.bananalandmovie.org/
Now that's putting lawyering skills to good use!Â
Next story please.
It's easy for people to generalize lawyers as "blood sucking" and out for themselves, but most attorneys enter into their field with the objective of helping people. Â This is a great example of using the law to help people. Â Good for this guy!
It's great that the guy fought for the water and the people and won. It's sad that he had to take that action. In the end, the most important matter is handled. The people get the clean water they need.
I seriously dought that Dole had anything to do with the land or water in Guatamala! Dole is a Sales and Marketing Company, that Imports Fresh and Frozen Fruits and Vegetables from around the World. They probably had nothing to do with any of the issues in Guatamala other than purchasing the agricultural products from this farm.
So the zealous UW Attorney went after Dole, and yes Dole settled as it's easier to pay $5K than to defend itself against every law suit that comes it's way. Unforunate for Dole.......But I guess that is why they keep raising their prices on their products.
In the end, a Guatamala farmer got away with clearing the land to grow product so he could sell it on the Global market. Unforunately Dole was the purchaser.
I've been in the insustry for twenty years.......So I'm glad to see KOMO supporting this frivolous lawsuit. I should say threat as the lawsuit would have to be filed in country of orgin, and I'm sure that the UW Law Student doesn't understand the Legal System of Guatamala.
@DinkorSinkYou are correct, as it says in the article:
"Harrison learned that *a* banana plantation had cleared 1,200 acres and diverted the river. He said that move left 4,500 people -- mostly children -- without clean water...
He soon learned that the bananas being grown in Guatemala ended up with Dole."
So, Dole is only a buyer of the bananas produced by a plantation that took this action. However, as their buyer, Dole can be in the position to make some demands of this producer. I guess he did not see hope of getting anywhere by suing the plantation, whereas Dole would have reason to care about its image and possibly be willing to make some demands of the plantation and therefore effect some changes.Â
@DinkorSink What insustry have you been in? You weren't clear. Law? Farming?
@cm257n7 @DinkorSink International Agricultural Sourcing, The America's (North, Central and South America. Dole operates just like my company, we don't own the land, we don't govern the conditions of the individual countries. We enforce social accountability to the growers we purchase from.
It's unfortunate that Dole is taking a black eye for this in the media, and the fact that the student reports he used the legal system to win his cause. It has nothing to do with threats, we all attempt to take care of the growing communities, and build relationships with those communities. It helps in obtaining the highest quality products with a long term commitment to the citizens that grow it.
@DinkorSink @cm257n7 You sir, are arrogant and ignorant. Learn the history of how companies like Dole have used their influence and power in conjuction with the help of the US State Department to oppress the people and the resources of Latin America for over a century. Mr. 20 years in the business, do yourself a favor so you don't sound like an ignorant hick, and read The Open Veins of Latin America.
@DinkorSink @cm257n7 I see what you're saying. I feel like in this case the kid was indeed enforcing the social accountability of Dole by demanding they require the the plantation owner they purchase from to provide clean water to the people. What do you think?Â
I feel like singing, "1 hand 2 hand 3 hand bunch, tell to ban bananas! "
It's a shame that these big companies don't do a thing when confronted with a problem unless a person has money throw lawyers into their faces. Money talks and all us peons can do is throw our hands in the air. Not right..
IF a Guatemalen Plantation Owner illegally clears land and diverts a river and it is not owned by Dole, why is Dole being held financially liable?Â
Why isn't our local "hero" suing the Plantation Owner in Guatemalan Court?
@Attila Read it again. you clearly misread, the entire thing.Â
@Attila This is hardly unusual. Obviously the law allows the end of the supply chain...in this case, Dole...to be sued for the actions of its suppliers. It costs far more money, and may be far less effective, to sue the plantation owner in a foreign court, where the plaintiff may have no standing. In this case, it obviously resulted in a good outcome, perhaps even better and more far-reaching than your suggested action.
@TheMadTurk @Attila The plantation would not be clearing land without a big fat company tossing candy. evidently, the plantation owner is merely a "farmer." Is he expected to know outcomes of water diversions. Big companies go to these small scale places to profit with no over head costs. It called,' Outsourcing for free." It called manipulating the "poor, in poor lands with no work." Its called, " Big profits for big companies with little minds and wills." Maybe Dole can excuse it, Maybe others can excuse it. I don't. Money does not talk to me at the Moment, Banana's do.
Is he expected to know outcomes of water diversions?   YES!
Wow, you are dragging out all the "big bad corporations" song and snivel aren't you?
Banana's do?  What's the apostrophe for? That's just bad grammar.
Good for him. Sounds like he has quite a promising future.
Way to go "DAVID"...wish there were more like you !...Now if you can stop the killing spray they put on non-organic bananas, you will have REALLY done something...The workers have to wear mask and suits to even handle them ...then we give to a beautiful poison banana to our children...! Sad...Everyone buy "ORGANIC Bananas for your kids...
@ELLEÂ I always do, but I didn't know it was that important. I figured I'm not eating the skin, so no big deal. My GF asks for them, and they are only 10 cents more per banana at Trader Joe's, so I get them, but not for the right reason. Thank you for pointing out there are other people affected, the workers, and the land itself, and the water, poisoned with the chemicals.Â
Dole settled this case in the best possible manner. Bottom line was more than the money on the spreadsheet, and the children have clean water.
I'm amazed that Dole settled AND agreed to do something to help out in the situation in Guatemala. Usually corporations when they do something wrong try to cover it up as best they can, settle out of court and try to spin in the media how they're the victim. This article is good news for at least one large corporation.
I thought this story would be about a 5th grader or something. Fix your headline, KOMO.
@KOMO_Sapiens Since when was "student" only applied to elementary aged kids? Nothing to fix.
If the water is now clean,,, Â why do they need clay filters?? I applaud the efforts,, Â this is outstanding,, and needs to be duplicated.Â
This is a joke. The US govt rapes its own lands every day in the name of the all mighty dollar.......
Great job, Mr. Harrison. Keep up the good fight!
United Fruit and the Banana Republic is alive and well I see.
i would hope dole would show some respect.. if you go on the pineapple factory tour in Honolulu , they have pineapple juice fountains as water fountains, now thats cool !
@maggie112 banana baths. oh goodie. lolÂ
I wish KOMO filled in a little more of the back-story on Eric for this article. Before going to law school at UW, he spent a few years in Honduras in the Peace Corps providing clean water systems to remote villages that previously didn't have access to clean water. Eric also set up a non-profit organization called Water and Sanitation Health (http://waterandsanitationhealth.com/). Before he returned, he also set up a company called Eco Cafe (http://www.ecocafeonline.com/home.htm) to sell responsibly farmed Central American coffee in the U.S. and donate the profits back to the Central American communities through Water and Sanitation Health.
If you're interested in learning more or getting involved, take a look at his websites.
And people wonder why they come to US as undocumented immigrants. These people have been exploited by corporations and local corruption is paid by the very corporations that claim to have environmental and social responsibility at heard. I am sure the CEO makes 5 million dollars or more each year. Enough to fix the problem they cause.Â
@Socialjusticeforall "And people wonder why they come to US as undocumented immigrants." Because they're too damn lazy to do it RIGHT? There IS no "wonder" here Junior. We all KNOW the reasons. Immigrants of TODAY want handouts, they want it easy, they want it fast and they want it GIVEN to them. Immigrants that helped FOUND this country, WORKED for it, learned the language of their new homeland, were PROUD to become U.S. citizens, and look at the "immigrants" of today as too lazy to EARN it. There's a big difference. Study history before you spout your rhetoric.....you might learn something.
@Takamine @Socialjusticeforall Ignorance this deep should be illegal.  Move to Mississippi already.
@Takamine @Socialjusticeforall Unless  you are Native American, you are all "illegal" immigrants. You might want to study history as well before spouting your rabid rhetoric.Â
@Takamine @Socialjusticeforall I've met a few "illegal immigrants" and every one of them works 80 or more hours a week, keeps his/her head down, pays taxes and avoids "the man" as much as possible.  So just how is it that they want "handouts".  I mean by "handouts" I presume you mean welfare and to get welfare you have to prove citizenship or legal residence.  Do a little research before you spout your rhetoric....you might learn something.
@Takamine Generalize much? There are plenty of LEGAL immigrants from many countries who work hard and take no handounts, contribute to the U.S. economy and pay their taxes. It's just that there aren't stories about them in the media daily because it's routine.Â
@Socialjusticeforall  "people wonder why they come to US as undocumented immigrants."
That's illegal aliens.
...and you actually believe they are not exploited here?
"Eric Harrison will be the first to say the Dole turned out to be the good guy in this story..."
I'm sorry, but poisoning a river and then hurriedly organizing a public relations exercise when somebody calls them on it does not make a company "the good guy."
@Sutekh True......but it caused change. For the better.
Doesn't make them the bad guy either.
No one said it was poisened
Thats why kids are our future. They see a wrong and they haven't been mind controlled yet so they do something about it. And now we are forcing them in a different direction than college by forcing them to pay outrageous amounts for that education.
We need to end all government grants to companies and instead use that money to fund research at public universities.
Good for him. Â I support him 100% !!