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September 23, 2008

L.A. Protesters Take Aim at Bolthouse Farms

In front of a busy supermarket on Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles, a handful of protesters on Saturday stood up against Bolthouse Farms, a produce grower whose founder contributed $100,000 to get Proposition 8 -- the initiative that would ban same-sex marriage in California -- on the ballot.

The protesters were representatives of Californians Against Hate, a group that draws attention to donors of Proposition 8. According to the group, Bolthouse founder William Bolthouse Jr. donated $100,000 to a group called Protect Marriage/Yes on Proposition 8 in April. That donation helped put Prop. 8 on California's November ballot by providing money for petition circulators and signature gatherers.

Then Sunday, the current president and CEO of Bolthouse, Jeff Dunn turned up at the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force brunch in Los Angeles with a contribution of his own ... a personal donation of $5,000 to benefit No on Prop. 8. According to a spokesperson for Bolthouse, William Bolthouse's contribution was made through his personal foundation, and the staff of Bolthouse Farms was unaware of the cash donation until it was made public in June.

Bolthouse Farms -- located in California's conservative San Joaquin Valley -- is one of the world's largest carrot operations in the world. In a 2004 Christian Business Daily article, Bolthouse Farms chairman of the board Andre Radandt stated, "Stewardship and integrity have always been a part of the business and have been well-established culturally .... My job is to preserve that ... the integrity side involves using the business as a platform for ministry."

Hoping to discourage shoppers from buying Bolthouse products -- which in addition to produce includes juices and salad dressings -- the six demonstrators carried signs that included "No on Bolthouse,"

"William Bolthouse's $100,000 contribution is an insult to gay and lesbian Americans," said CAH campaign manager Fred Karger in a press release. "Why should we spend our hard-earned money buying Bolthouse Farms' products only to have it used against us?"

In contrast, current Bolthouse CEO Dunn has done his part to reach out to LGBT people, beginning with his appearance at Sunday's brunch. In a fact sheet made available to the press, Dunn explained that Bolthouse offers full medical benefits to same-sex couples. (Neal Broverman, The Advocate)

Reader Comments

These comments are reproduced as written by visitors to this Web site. They have not been edited for content, grammar, or spelling. The viewpoints appearing here are those of the writer, and do not necessarily reflect the opinion or views of advocate.com, The Advocate, or its affiliates.

  • Name: Brandon
    Date posted: 2008-11-23 1:10 PM
    Hometown: Marion, OH

    Comment:

    I might have to boycott Bolthouse Farms for their CEO's contribution AGAINST Prop 8. Dunn's $5,000 donation is disturbing and he is clearly on the wrong side of the culture war.


  • Name: Stephen
    Date posted: 2008-09-25 12:49 PM
    Hometown: Raleigh, NC, USA

    Comment:

    "It is clear that Bolthouse Farms has NO connection to the Bolthouse Family Foundation" How and where is that clear? I'm not willing to just take your word for it! So, do you KNOW or are you just hoping? 'Cause if you KNOW, you need to share the facts, sources, etc for this "knowledge" or we are just going to ignore you.


  • Name: Jenna
    Date posted: 2008-09-23 5:58 PM
    Hometown: Saskatoon

    Comment:

    Wow, that's too bad. I love their juices. Well thankfully there are probably a thousand equally good competitors to choose from.


  • Name: Jay
    Date posted: 2008-09-23 12:11 PM
    Hometown: Los Angeles

    Comment:

    It is not so clear that Bolthouse Farms has no connection to the Bolthouse Family Foundation. Their corporate website says "The purpose of this Company is to glorify God through our business transactions, our work, and our relationships. It is further our desire to bring honor and glory to the Name of Jesus Christ by following God's Word in all of our dealings with employees, suppliers, and customers. God's Work as contained in His Inspired Scriptures will be the final authority in all Corporate matters concerning direction, decisions, and disputes." This sounds suspiciously like the Bolthouse Family Foundation. The current CEO's donation of $5,000 to the No on Propostion 8 fund is measly compared to William Bolthouse's $100,000 donation that we know of. He may have actually contributed more through associates and other subterfuges. I am not buying any Bolthouse products.


  • Name: elaygee
    Date posted: 2008-09-23 11:43 AM
    Hometown: Ormond Beach

    Comment:

    It is clear that Bolthouse Farms has NO connection to the Bolthouse Family Foundation which is run by the former Bolthouse owner. We need to stop punishing an innocent company and its employees for nothing.


  • Name: elaygee
    Date posted: 2008-09-23 11:43 AM
    Hometown: Ormond Beach

    Comment:

    It is clear that Bolthouse Farms has NO connection to the Bolthouse Family Foundation which is run by the former Bolthouse owner. We need to stop punishing an innocent company and its employees for nothing.


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