A federal court ruling in Georgia has cleared the way for parts of a lawsuit against Perdue Foods to proceed, potentially bringing renewed scrutiny to how poultry growers are classified within the industry.
The decision, issued March 20 by the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Georgia, addressed a motion for summary judgment in a case filed by longtime grower Roger Parker. The court allowed certain claims to move forward while dismissing others, citing ongoing disagreements over key facts.
At the center of the case is Parker’s claim that, despite being labeled an independent contractor, his work was closely directed by Perdue. He contends that the company’s level of oversight and control over his farm operations effectively placed him in a role similar to that of an employee, which he argues should entitle him to wages and benefits.
Perdue disputes that characterization, pointing to its standard poultry producer agreements, which define growers as independent operators responsible for their own facilities, equipment, and labor. The company has also argued that Parker did not meet contractual expectations, particularly regarding equipment upkeep and animal care.
The court noted that the case involves complex and contested evidence, with both sides offering sharply different accounts of the working relationship and the circumstances that led to its end. According to filings, Perdue stopped supplying birds to Parker in 2019, citing ongoing concerns about farm conditions and animal welfare.
Parker, however, maintains that the decision was retaliatory. He alleges it came after he questioned how bird weights were calculated and raised concerns with federal regulators.
While the ruling does not determine the final outcome, it keeps core aspects of the dispute alive and opens the door to a possible trial. The case is being closely watched, as it could influence how relationships between poultry companies and contract growers are defined—particularly the long-standing classification of growers as independent contractors rather than employees.
