Pike v. Bruce Church, Inc.

397 U.S. 137 (1970)

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Pike v. Bruce Church, Inc.

United States Supreme Court
397 U.S. 137 (1970)

Pike v. Bruce Church, Inc.

Facts

Arizona passed the Arizona Fruit and Vegetable Standardization Act (AFVSA), which required all cantaloupes grown and offered for sale in Arizona to be packed compactly in standard closed containers. Bruce Church, Inc. (plaintiff) was a cantaloupe grower in Arizona that routinely shipped its fruits to California in uncrated containers. Loren J. Pike (defendant) was the Arizona official tasked with enforcing the AFVSA. In 1968, Pike prohibited Bruce Church from shipping its cantaloupes in violation of the AFVSA. Bruce Church brought suit in district court seeking to enjoin enforcement of the AFVSA, arguing that it did not have the required facilities and equipment to pack cantaloupes in compliance with the AFVSA. Additionally, it stated that the perishable nature of the fruit would not allow for the acquisition of such facilities in time, resulting in a loss of $700,000 to the company. The district court held that the AFVSA was unconstitutional, and Pike appealed to the United States Supreme Court.

Rule of Law

Issue

Holding and Reasoning (Stewart, J.)

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