In October 2023, The News & Observer reported the Department of Labor found labour contractor Valentino Lopez had violated laws by exploiting H-2A workers in 2020 and 2021. Lopez was fined USD 62,531 for the violations. Abuses include passport confiscation, wage theft, and recruitment fee charging, among other issues. Over 70 migrant workers were impacted, recruited by Lopez to pick blueberries at Ronnie Carter Farms.

In July 2024, the Charlotte Observer reports on a separate case linked to the labour contractor, Lopez, and his brother. It reports the brothers sent 13 Mexican workers to Ronnie Carter Farms and Hannah Forrest Blueberries. The workers experienced a range of abuses, including wage theft, intimidation, and sexual assault. It reports a settlement of USD 150,000 has been awarded to the 13 workers.

Lopez is no longer allowed to hire H-2A workers.

Ronnie Carter Farms could not be reached by journalists or by Business & Human Rights Resource Centre. If a response is received in the future this page will be updated accordingly. Hannah Forrest Blueberries did not respond to journalists’ request for comment.