In a world where partnerships can crumble under the weight of legal battles, Craig Underwood stands as a testament to resilience and dedication. After nearly three decades of collaboration with Huy Fong Foods, the iconic maker of Sriracha sauce, Underwood faced a significant upheaval in his farming business. The recent court ruling, which awarded Underwood Ranches $23.3 million, underscores not only the financial impact of the lawsuit but also the emotional toll such disputes can take on family-run businesses.
The jury's decision came after a tense trial, revealing that Huy Fong Foods had breached its contract with Underwood Ranches and committed acts of fraud. Underwood, who manages his Camarillo farm with a deep-rooted passion for agriculture, expressed immense relief and joy upon hearing the verdict. He stated, “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.”
As Underwood navigates the aftermath of this tumultuous legal journey, he remains optimistic about the future of his farm. With a history of providing jalapeño peppers for Huy Fong's signature sauces, he is now looking to pivot and explore new avenues for growth. “We’re pepper growers,” Underwood affirmed, hinting at the potential for launching his own line of sauces, including a version of Sriracha, to be sold at local farmers' markets. This shift reflects a commitment to adapt and thrive, no matter the challenges faced.
After the collapse of a nearly 30-year partnership with the maker of the world-famous Sriracha sauce and a multimillion-dollar lawsuit with the company, Craig Underwood is still betting on his farm’s peppers.
A jury recently awarded $23.3 million to Underwood Ranches after a bitter lawsuit with Huy Fong Foods Inc., the manufacturer of the wildly popular Sriracha in the signature green-capped bottle. The family-owned Underwood farm was once the exclusive supplier of the chile peppers at the core of Huy Fong’s rooster-labeled sauces.
The trial, which began in early June, came to a close last week when a civil jury determined that Irwindale-based Huy Fong
