Edgeworth Clients EMMC and Mushroom Growers Found Not Liable for Antitrust Conspiracy Allegations by Winn-Dixie Stores

On March 21, 2022, Edgeworth clients, Eastern Mushroom Marketing Cooperative (EMMC) together with various mushroom growers, were found not liable for an alleged antitrust conspiracy to fix mushroom prices provided to Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc. After a three-week trial in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, the jury concluded that although there was “a single overarching conspiracy to raise the price of Agaricus mushrooms” by the Cooperative, the individual growers did not participate in the conspiracy and there was ultimately no impact on the prices for mushrooms paid by Winn-Dixie. 

On behalf of EMMC and the growers, Edgeworth Partner Dr. Jesse David testified at the trial on the merits of the case as well as potential damages, rebutting the plaintiff’s expert. The full verdict for the defense in this case and the determination of zero damages represents the likely end of a series of litigations lasting more than a decade in which Edgeworth provided expert reports and testimony concerning the alleged antitrust conspiracy by EMMC and the growers in the sale of this type of mushrooms to various supermarket chains and other direct purchasers.